Journey of the Last Saiyan

Chapter 104: Chapter 104- Descent to another Earth, Into the Fray, and the Gift of Awakening



A ripple in the fabric of reality appeared above a planet called Earth in this lower realm, and through it stepped Orach. Still in Ultra Instinct, he quickly became one with this reality and felt the response from his bond with Diana growing stronger—she was close—yet he knew she wasn't in this realm. He couldn't help but sigh, though he found solace knowing that Diana's and Rachel's lower realm lay just adjacent to this one.

Suddenly, he noticed a chaotic fluctuation in the Space laws on the planet. Observing the planet, he couldn't help but be stunned at how much this world resembled Earth, the home of Diana and Rachel. Even the continents were identical. Then he noticed a rift on one of the continents and decided to descend and observe. He created a ripple in space and walked through to emerge in the sky near the rift, where he witnessed a scene of chaos, war, and destruction.

Rewinding time - New York Sanctum

The city of New York was under siege by invading aliens—the Chitauri army pouring through a rift above Stark Tower and had become a battleground. Heroes of all kinds emerged to face this crisis: courageous civilians acting on instinct, uniformed first responders, and those with extraordinary abilities. Throughout the city, these defenders battled not only the alien invasion but also their own fears, standing firm despite the urge to flee as they evacuated civilians and held back the alien tide. Those with special abilities focused on two critical tasks: confronting the invasion's leader and finding a way to seal the rift.

High above the chaos, atop the New York Sanctum Sanctorum, the Ancient One stood as Earth's mystical guardian. As Sorcerer Supreme, she had protected the realm from supernatural threats for centuries, wielding the legendary Eye of Agamotto—a relic housing the Time Stone, a cosmic artifact older than the universe itself. Now, as Chitauri forces descended upon her sanctuary, she faced a different kind of invasion.

Suddenly, the Time Stone within the Eye began to pulse erratically, its emerald energies writhing with unprecedented intensity. Before she could react, it erupted with temporal force, encasing her in a emerald dome of frozen time. Soon a mist began to manifest in front of her eyes as pain lanced through her mind as visions cascaded through her consciousness—not mere glimpses of possible futures, but revelations of realms beyond her understanding.

She witnessed seven children, defiant and brave, standing against divine lightning to protect one of their own. Among them, one boy's story unfolded like a tapestry of fate: from a mischievous youth to an explorer of worlds, until war transformed him into something else entirely. The Ancient One watched in awe as this warrior, faced with the annihilation of all life, stood alone against oblivion. In that pivotal moment, nine primordial dragons emerged from chaos itself, their power resonating with his own in a display that illuminated the void.

The visions shifted to intimate moments: a destined meeting with a warrior woman, their blossoming love, and a young sorceress whose presence completed their family. But it was the glimpses of what was yet to come that truly shook the Ancient One. Through the temporal mist, she saw a female figure wreathed in scarlet energy—someone from her own reality—whose power would one day not only dwarf her future disciple and successor but, transcend dimensions. This figure's journey led to an entity existing at time's end, behind whom nine rings radiated supreme might, their mere presence commanding reverence.

The final vision showed three silhouette of women—one emanating ethereal pink light, another blazing like a sun, and the scarlet figure—gathered around this supreme being. As the Ancient One tried to peer deeper into these mysteries, her body rebelled, blood spilling from her lips as she was forcefully pulled back to the present where she sensed the arrival of another force.

With sudden understanding born of cosmic insight, she realized the warrior from her visions—Orach—was the very presence she now sensed arriving in their reality. His presence had triggered the Time Stone's reaction, warning her of monumental changes to come. The Ancient One sensed that Orach and the entity at time's end were somehow one and the same, separated only by the vast expanse of existence itself. As the temporal energy dissipated and time resumed its normal flow, she deflected an incoming Chitauri attack with renewed purpose, knowing she had witnessed the threads of a destiny that would reshape not just their world, but all of their reality.

On the sky above New York

"...Even the architecture is identical. Did the creator gods of this realm and Diana and Rachel's world work from the same blueprint?" Orach mused, observing the city as he descended from Ultra Instinct to his base form while hovering in the sky. At first, he wondered if the same creator god had shaped both realms, but the Ki here carried a distinctly different signature. He wondered if these creator gods knew one another.

His attention was then drawn to a building where the source of the space law disturbance originated. As he focused his senses and felt the essence of this source, he was startled to sense something akin to a law crystal—an artifact that shouldn't exist in lower realms. Just as he was about to investigate, he detected fluctuations from another law he had a strong connection with, making him turn his head as he sensed another crystal-like signature. This made him narrow his eyes with seriousness, as this second law was troublesome and law crystals containing it were extremely rare. It likely meant someone from the higher realms had placed it here. However, since that fluctuation was brief, he decided to focus on the one disturbing the space laws.

Just as he was about to make his move, he spotted civilians below about to be crushed by falling debris. Without hesitation, he created a spatial ripple, appearing between them and the danger. With one hand, he caught the massive chunks of concrete, while with the other, he fired a Ki blast at approaching Chitauri forces, vaporizing them instantly. While he typically avoided interfering with the natural flow of lower realms, his experiences in the Void realm had rekindled his drive to protect innocent, pure-hearted lives when they were in danger.

The huddled civilians, who had been bracing for death, opened their eyes to discover they were still alive. They gazed in awe at their mysterious savior—a figure effortlessly holding tons of rubble in one hand while obliterating aliens with the other. As Orach gently set the debris aside, the grateful survivors etched his appearance into their memories before fleeing the battlefield to safety.

Just then, a massive shadow fell over him. Before his Ki sense could expand, a Chitauri Leviathan, a behemoth slammed into him full force. The impact sent him crashing through several floors of an office building, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. He finally came to rest face-first in someone's desk, surrounded by scattered paperwork and an activated Newton's Cradle clicking away mockingly.

"Did I seriously just get blindsided by a flying fish?" Orach muttered, pushing himself up from the wreckage. "Rachel would never let me live this down..." His embarrassment quickly turned to anger as he heard more civilians screaming outside. "Enough playing around."

Golden Ki began to surge around him as his power exploded outward. His hair shifted from black to brilliant gold, eyes changing to piercing teal as he transformed into a Super Saiyan. The office floor crackled with energy as he shot upward through the holes he'd made during his crash, emerging above the city like a newborn star.

Orach raised both hands, gathering his Ki as he surveyed the invasion force. Countless energy spheres materialized around him, each one containing enough power to vaporize a Leviathan. "Let's see how you handle this," he growled, before unleashing his attack. The sky lit up with golden light as hundreds of Ki blasts rained down upon the Chitauri forces, each finding their mark with devastating precision. Leviathans exploded, smaller craft disintegrated, and invasion forces scattered before his overwhelming display of power.

Avenger's Communication Channel

"Sweet mother of..." Hawkeye breathed, his bow forgotten in his hands as he watched the golden warrior decimate entire squadrons with casual ease. "Anyone want to explain the guy throwing miniature suns around?"

"JARVIS, what are we looking at here?" Tony demanded, hovering mid-air after dispatching another Chitauri craft as his AI frantically analyzed the mysterious warrior. "These energy readings are... impossible."

"Sir, readings are accurate," JARVIS responded, an unusual note of confusion in his artificial voice. "Power output exceeds all known energy signatures in our database. Recommend extreme caution."

"Definitely not one of ours," Natasha confirmed, her usual composure slightly shaken as she watched another wave of Chitauri vaporize. "Even Fury couldn't keep something like this under wraps."

"Whoever he is," Captain America interjected, catching his shield after it ricocheted off three Chitauri, "he's turning the tide. Thor, any insight on our new... ally?"

The God of Thunder landed beside them, his expression a mixture of awe and concern. "In all my years across the Nine Realms, I have never witnessed such power. This warrior... he wields might that rivals my father's own."

"With our mysterious ally handling the aerial assault, we can focus on shutting down that portal," Captain America strategized, his voice carrying authority despite the chaos around them. "Stark, Romanoff - get to that tower."

"Already on it, Cap," Tony replied, his thrusters igniting as he rocketed towards Natasha. "Agent Romanoff, need a lift?"

"Copy that, Stark. I'd appreciate it," Natasha confirmed, already moving with practiced efficiency to rendezvous with Tony before heading to Stark Tower.

"Thor, deal with your brother. Barton and I will coordinate civilian evacuation and handle any stragglers our golden friend might miss," Steve commanded, shield at the ready.

Meanwhile, at Stark Tower, Loki's spacecraft spiraled out of control after being struck by one of Orach's Ki blasts, sending the would-be conqueror crashing onto the tower's observation deck. As he struggled to his feet, still dazed from the impact, a massive green figure landed behind him with earthshaking force.

Loki spun around, his face contorting with rage and wounded pride. "ENOUGH!" he roared at the advancing Hulk. "You are, all of you, beneath me! I am a god, you dull creature, and I will not be bullied by—"

His grandiose speech was cut short as Hulk grabbed him by the legs and proceeded to slam him repeatedly into the floor like a rag doll, leaving crater-sized dents in the concrete. As the "god" lay whimpering in the rubble, Hulk snorted dismissively. "Puny god," he grunted, turning away from the thoroughly humbled Asgardian to join back into the fray.

Moments later at Stark Tower, Natasha and Tony found Dr. Selvig near the portal device. Upon learning the scepter could potentially close the portal, Tony quickly retrieved it. However, an urgent communication from Fury forced him to pass the scepter to a surprised Natasha before blasting away to intercept a nuclear missile launched by the World Security Council. Working with Dr. Selvig, Natasha prepared to deactivate the Tesseract powering the portal.

Meanwhile, Orach after obliterating the Chitauri forces this side of the portal, observed more Chitauri forces emerging from the portal. His aura flaring, he ascended toward the breach, obliterating enemies in his path. He also, noticed a man manipulating lightning and taking care of some portion of the incoming Chitauri as well. Positioning himself beneath the portal, he unleashed a devastating Ki beam that carved through the incoming invasion force like a divine spear, nearly striking their mothership.

"That should keep them busy and give time to analyze that device," he murmured, before using his mastery over space laws to pass through a ripple and appear beside Natasha and Dr. Selvig. Though startled by his sudden appearance, they maintained their composure.

Orach's attention fixed on the Tesseract, his expression thoughtful as he reached out with his understanding of Primordial space laws. The cube's energy responded to his probe, confirming his suspicions. "A mere facsimile," he concluded. "Not a true Space law crystal, but an imitation. This realm's creators fashioned a copy, albeit an impressive one."

Natasha studied their mysterious ally, taking note of his advanced battle suit and, most intriguingly, the tail wrapped around his waist. Though she briefly considered he might be one of the enhanced humans she'd read about, his extraordinary power levels and sophisticated technology pointed to an extraterrestrial origin. Still, her instincts told her that despite being an alien, from his actions she should consider him as an ally. Just as Captain America ordered her to close the portal, Tony's voice crackled through the comms: "Wait! Don't close it yet. I've got a nuclear missile coming in, and I know just where to put it."

Through the chaos above, Orach sensed Iron Man as he intercepted the missile and redirected it toward the portal. His enhanced senses picked up the portal's unstable energy signature. As Tony vanished into the void with his deadly payload, Orach's eyes narrowed. "Foolish, but brave," he muttered before disappearing through another spatial ripple to appear beyond the rift. Though startled by the alien's sudden departure, Natasha steeled herself and followed her orders, closing the portal with a heavy heart.

Seconds later, a massive explosion lit up the portal's opening as the missile struck its target, destroying the Chitauri mothership. As the portal began to close, Orach emerged with an unconscious Tony Stark in his arms, having caught him on the other side. Using his mastery of Space Laws, he stabilized the portal just long enough to pass through safely back to Earth. Landing gracefully on the tower's platform despite his burden, he faced Natasha. "His suit failed beyond the portal," he explained as he carefully laid Tony down. "But his heart still beats."

Natasha rushed to Tony's side, assessing his condition. Soon Thor landed beside them with a resounding thud, concern etched on his face as he helped remove Iron Man's faceplate. As Natasha checked vital signs and began emergency procedures, Thor channeled lightning through the arc reactor in Tony's chest, jolting his system back to life.

Meanwhile, Orach reverted to his base form and approached the Tesseract. As he lifted the cube, its blue energy pulsed in response to his touch, like a living thing acknowledging a greater power.

"You have my gratitude, Friend," Thor's resonant voice carried across the platform as Tony began stirring under Natasha's care. "Your power turned the tide of this battle." The God of Thunder watched their mysterious ally with a mixture of respect and wariness.

Orach turned to acknowledge Thor with a nod, then returned his attention to the artifact in his hands. His eyes narrowed as he probed deeper into the cube's mysteries.

Thor, taken aback by the curt response, shifted uncomfortably in the awkward silence that followed.

Just then as the rest of the Avengers gathered on the tower platform, Captain America stepped forward, his shield lowered but ready. His eyes met Orach's with a mix of gratitude and caution. "That was impressive work up there. We owe you our thanks. But I have to ask - who are you, and what are your intentions with that cube?"

Without responding, Orach studied the Tesseract intently. His fingers tightened around the cube, causing hairline fractures to spider across its crystalline surface. Before anyone could react, he applied precise pressure, and the cube's outer shell crumbled away like brittle glass, revealing a glowing stone within.

The Avengers tensed immediately. Thor's grip tightened on Mjolnir, while Hulk let out a warning growl.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Tony demanded, his repulsors humming to life.

"Relax, human. I only destroyed the outer casing." Orach turned to show them the stone in his hand and continued, "This is the true source of power—an artifact that grants its wielder the ability to manipulate space laws. However..." He scanned the assembled group, noting that none present appeared capable of containing the stone's immense power. "I doubt any of you could harness its power without being destroyed. The energy contained within would overwhelm your mortal forms."

Stunned, they stared at the stone pulsing in Orach's hand, contemplating his words. Thor lowered his hammer and spoke firmly. "The stone must be placed in Asgardian custody. Asgard alone can ensure it never again threatens another realm," he said, extending his hand. "I must insist you return it, friend. It has caused enough chaos in this realm."

Steve lowered his shield and after a moment of contemplation, gave a firm nod. "I agree. The cube's done enough damage. Thor should take it."

"Sorry Captain, but that's not your call to make," Sitwell interjected as SHIELD agents swarmed in, the tactical team moved with practiced precision, establishing a perimeter, weapons trained on Orach. Sitwell fixed his gaze on their mysterious ally. "Please hand over the stone. It's government property."

"Stand down Sitwell. Let me talk to Fury—" Steve began, but Sitwell cut him off. "Sorry Captain, but these are Secretary's orders. Even the Director can't override them."

Sitwell turned back to Orach, his voice wavering slightly. "Sir, please hand over the stone otherwise—" Before he could finish, an overwhelming pressure descended upon the area. Everyone, from the mighty Thor to the Hulk, found themselves forced to their knees. The SHIELD agents who had been aiming their weapons at Orach moments ago now struggled to get up under the crushing force.

With each deliberate step Orach took toward them, the pressure intensified, making it hard for some to even breathe. The concrete beneath his feet cracked with every footfall. His expression had turned cold, devoid of the earlier patience he had shown.

Standing before Sitwell, Orach's voice carried otherworldly authority. "Tell me, ant, what makes you think you can command me? The wise among you must have realized by now that I am not of your world. I transcend your lower realm itself. My presence here was mere chance, and my aid was given out of kindness. Even now, by taking custody of this stone—a power that would destroy any of you who tried to wield it—I act with kindness. Yet you dare to make demands?" He lifted Sitwell with his energy until they were eye to eye. "I am an existence that surpasses even your god of creation. So I ask again: from where does this misplaced confidence stem?"

Sitwell felt his blood run cold. The display of power, the sight of Earth's mightiest heroes brought to their knees—it defied everything he thought he knew. Though his instincts screamed to reject such outlandish claims, the evidence before him was undeniable. Drawing upon years of experience navigating precarious situations and living a double life, he managed to stammer, "Sir... I meant no offense. However..."

Sensing Sitwell's evasiveness, Orach's voice cut through the tension. "You still don't understand, do you? Perhaps a demonstration is in order..." Just then, Orach felt a disturbance in the space laws as a golden portal materialized near them.

Rewinding time - SHIELD Helicarrier Mobile Command Center

The celebration of victory over the Chitauri invasion was cut short as a brilliant golden portal materialized on the bridge. Despite having witnessed extraordinary events throughout his career, Nick Fury found himself momentarily stunned by such means. His hand instinctively moved toward his sidearm as his second in command and other agents trained their weapons at the ready.

Three figures emerged from the gateway - the central figure wore elaborate robes and a deep hood that obscured their features, flanked by two others whose grave expressions spoke of urgent business. The very air seemed to ripple with ancient power around them.

The hooded figure surveyed the deck, eyes taking in the sophisticated technology that surrounded them. "Humanity has come far," she mused, her voice resonating with ancient wisdom. "This vessel stands as a true testament to innovation, Director Fury."

Fury's single eye narrowed, analyzing every detail. While their arrival was unconventional, their body language suggested they weren't hostile. Still, decades of experience had taught him caution. "I appreciate the compliment," he replied diplomatically, "though I find myself at a disadvantage. You seem to know who I am, but I don't believe we've had the pleasure."

A slight smile graced the figure's lips as she lowered her hood, revealing an ageless face that somehow managed to convey both youth and ancient wisdom. "My apologies for the dramatic entrance. When one has lived as long as I have, formalities sometimes slip away. I am the Ancient One, Sorcerer Supreme and guardian of our reality itself. My order, the Masters of the Mystic Arts, has protected Earth from mystical threats for millennia."

Nick Fury's eye narrowed, his expression a mixture of skepticism and intrigue. "Sorcerers? You're telling me there's an ancient order of mystic practitioners operating right under SHIELD's nose all this time?"

The Ancient One's serene smile never wavered. "We prefer to work in the shadows, Director. Our mandate extends far beyond the threats you face. We guard the very fabric of reality itself."

Maria Hill stepped forward, her voice sharp with contained anger. "With all due respect, where was this 'ancient order' when aliens were raining down on New York? When civilians were dying in the streets?"

"Mind your tone!" Mordo bristled, taking a threatening step forward before the Ancient One's raised hand stopped him in his tracks.

The Ancient One's expression grew grave as she addressed Hill. "You misunderstand the scope of our work, Miss Hill. While the Chitauri posed a significant threat, they were but a ripple compared to the dimensional horrors we face daily. Even now, my sorcerers are scattered across the globe, maintaining mystical barriers that prevent far worse entities from entering our reality. And yes, we did assist in the battle - though not in ways visible to the untrained eye."

She turned back to Fury, her expression growing more serious. "But I'm not here to defend our methods, Director. I've come to warn you about a being who recently entered our reality. His power..." she paused, choosing her words carefully, "...it exceeds anything we've encountered in all our centuries of watching. While he is nature is kind he doesn't take well to any disrespect from the beings of the lower realm like us."

After a moment of contemplation, Fury fixed his eye on the Ancient One. "The golden being who decimated the Chitauri forces with a energy blasts—that's who you're here about, isn't it?"

The Ancient One's expression grew more somber. "Indeed. His name is Orach, and he comes from a plane far beyond our comprehension. Though I briefly glimpsed his history and the higher realms through an artifact, even I find his power… humbling." She paused, choosing her next words carefully. "Director, you've seen gods and monsters, but Orach transcends such classifications. Before him, our universe's laws must kneel in submission—reality itself bends to his will should he chooses."

"And should we consider him a threat?" Fury asked, his tone measured but alert.

"Not in the conventional sense," the Ancient One replied. "His nature is fundamentally benevolent, but his perspective of our world is... different. Imagine how you view an anthill, Director. You may choose to protect it, even help it thrive, but if those ants were to challenge you..." She let the implications hang in the air. "We must approach this situation with both respect and caution."

A heavy silence descended over the command center as Fury and Hill grappled with the Ancient One's revelation. The weight of her words settled like lead in their stomachs—they faced a being so far beyond their comprehension that he could erase their existence as casually as humans might step on insects. That their most advanced weapons, their mightiest heroes, even their most sophisticated defenses were meaningless against such power was a sobering realization that shook them to their core. Though part of them wanted to reject this outright, they recognized the truth in the Ancient One's words.

Hill met Fury's gaze, both seasoned veterans of countless crises acknowledging they were in uncharted territory. How does one approach a being who views their entire civilization as mere ants? The question lingered unspoken, laden with implications for humanity's future.

Fury crossed his arms, weighing his words carefully. "Every being has vulnerabilities. Are you aware of any?"

The Ancient One shook her head at their worried expressions. "I advise against entertaining such thoughts—they would prove fatal. While his power is indeed fearsome, his nature is fundamentally kind. In my glimpses of his past, I witnessed him end a war of such magnitude that it defies mortal comprehension—a conflict that threatened all life. He deserves our respect, Director Fury. As long as we treat him with dignity and respect his boundaries, we will be safe. There's one more thing, using that same relic, I foresaw that Orach's presence could be either a blessing or a catalyst for change—the outcome depends entirely on how we choose to interact with him."

"And if discussions fails?" Maria Hill asked, her voice tight with concern.

The Ancient One turned to face her, expression serene but serious. "Then we must pray he remains as benevolent as he has shown himself to be thus far. Because if he chooses otherwise... there is nothing in this universe that could stop him."

She turned back to face Fury, her expression resolute. "Wong and I are going to seek an audience with him now. Would you accompany us? Given your position and influence, I believe it would be wise for you to meet Orach personally. Perhaps your diplomatic experience could help bridge the gap between our world and his perspective. It may also, help prevent... misunderstandings."

Nick Fury now understood the reason for her visit and nodded. So, after putting Maria in charge, he left with Ancient One and Wong while leaving behind Mordo on the Helicarrier.

Present Time

"Please stop, Lord Orach," the Ancient One emerged, accompanied by her subordinate Wong and a grave-faced Nick Fury. "There's much these children need to learn about this world and the multiverse. Please show mercy."

Orach sensed something in the Ancient One's presence—a faint trace of time law. Noting the humble and sincere attitude of the newcomers, his expression softened slightly. He released Sitwell, who crumpled to his knees. Though the overwhelming pressure diminished, it remained present enough to keep them all kneeling—a subtle reminder of their position. While Orach favored mercy, his centuries of existence had taught him that the harshest lessons often left the deepest impressions.

He turned his penetrating gaze toward the Ancient One and said, "You called me by name. Yet I have never descended to this lower realm before. While I can guess how you know, I wish to hear it from you directly."

The Ancient One bowed her head slightly before responding, her voice measured and respectful as she touched the Eye of Agamotto hanging around her neck. "My lord, this artifact—like the space stone you possess—contains the time stone, another remnant of a singularity that predated our universe, one that represents the element of time. When you arrived, it reacted, granting me glimpses of the higher realms and fragments of your past. Through these visions, I witnessed echoes of your deeds, including your role in ending a cosmic war that threatened all life. I humbly ask your forgiveness for this intrusion, though I am grateful for the understanding it provided of your power and the potential impact your presence can bring to our realm."

Orach's gaze fixed on the Eye of Agamotto. With a mere gesture of his left hand, he channeled his Ki towards the ancient relic. The response was immediate and dramatic - the Time Stone within resonated violently with his power, causing the Eye to shudder and strain against its ancient bindings. The Ancient One, recognizing the imminent danger to the precious artifact, swiftly opened the Eye herself rather than risk its destruction.

The emerald stone burst forth, floating gracefully into Orach's waiting palm. As it settled there, both the Time and Space stones pulsed in harmony, their cosmic energies intertwining. The moment their powers merged, Orach was thrust into a vision - first came the vast darkness of pre-creation, then flashes of universal birth, the creation of the stones, the creation of Celestials, the formation of countless worlds and civilizations. But what caught him off guard was what emerged next: a mysterious figure wreathed in scarlet aura who reached out to him. Though her features remained indistinct, the emotional resonance she projected was unmistakable - pure, unconditional love, reminiscent of what he felt with Diana.

The vision shattered as Orach opened his eyes, his expression troubled yet contemplative. He recognized the scarlet aura from his previous glimpses of the future granted by the White Tree—visions of his future family. Though he had vowed to embrace these possibilities, the thought of loving anyone besides Diana stirred conflict within him. His heart now belonged only to Diana and their daughter Rachel. Yet the profound depth of emotion he had sensed from this scarlet presence gave him pause. The memory of his two future sons from those visions also weighed on his mind. With a deep sigh, he chose to let destiny unfold naturally. Gazing at the Time Stone, he understood why it had shown him these visions. The revelation was clear: from this lower realm—this universe—would emerge the scarlet figure destined to touch his heart as deeply as Diana had.

With another resigned sigh, Orach gently returned the Time Stone to the Ancient One, who gratefully received it. While he wasn't ready to fully embrace fate's design, he wouldn't actively resist it either.

Turning to the Ancient One, Orach's expression became grave. "A powerful force will emerge in the future—one whose destiny is intertwined with forces beyond this realm. You must find and guide this individual when she emerges. Train her alongside your disciples, including your future successor. But," he paused meaningfully, "do not speak of me or this conversation unless absolutely necessary. I sense you already know of whom I speak."

The Ancient One's eyes widened slightly in understanding, having glimpsed fragments of this future through the Time Stone's visions. She bowed her head deeply, the weight of this sacred task settling on her shoulders. The responsibility of guiding this future individual was not one she would take lightly.

Nick Fury, who had been observing the exchange with calculated interest, noted how this powerful being responded favorably to respect and humility - even willingly returning an artifact as powerful as the Time Stone. Seeing an opportunity for cooperation, he stepped forward and spoke with measured diplomacy, "If I may, Lord Orach, it seems the identity and timing of this individual's appearance remain unknown. SHIELD possesses extensive global surveillance networks and resources that could assist in locating them. We could work in partnership with the Ancient One, combining our technological capabilities with their mystical expertise. This would serve as a gesture of goodwill between our organizations and yourself, if you find it acceptable."

Orach listening to this, thought for a moment weighing the pros and cons. At one hand her safety would be assured but, on the other hand, a flower grown in a greenhouse couldn't survive a storm. As such he simply asked them to keep a passive watch and let her emerge naturally.

With a casual gesture, he invoked the space laws, instantly transporting everyone inside Stark Tower. As he settled into a nearby chair, the oppressive pressure that had kept them kneeling finally lifted. The SHIELD agents who had accompanied Sitwell visibly sagged with relief.

Loki, still bound in handcuffs, had been silently observing the proceedings with growing unease. The raw display of power he'd witnessed left him visibly shaken, though he struggled to maintain his proud demeanor. When his gaze inadvertently met Orach's, the being's attention shifted to him. With a mere thought, Orach's Ki pulled the would-be conqueror forward in front of him, forcing Loki to his knees. Loki's face contorted with a mixture of fear, humiliation and rage at this casual display of dominance.

Thor stepped forward, speaking carefully to balance respect for Orach's power with concern for his brother. "Friend, while I acknowledge your might and accept the humbling you gave us earlier, I must speak on Loki's behalf. Though his actions were grave, he remains both a prince of Asgard and my brother. I ask not that you spare him punishment, but that you refrain from his humiliation. Our laws and traditions demand he face the All-Father's judgment—I seek only that you honor our realm's sovereign right in this matter."

Orach, who had been studying Loki with keen interest, detected an unusual temporal signature emanating from the would-be conqueror. This trace of time law intrigued him, but Thor's interruption drew his attention. Turning to face Thor, he spoke with measured tone.

"You speak of sovereignty and traditions, yet I know nothing of your realm or its ruler. Before making such requests, perhaps you should enlighten me about yourselves and this Asgard you represent. After all," his eyes narrowed slightly, "how can I respect authority I know nothing about?"

Thor straightened, recognizing the wisdom in Orach's words. This was his chance to properly introduce their realm and potentially gain understanding from this powerful being. Taking a deep breath, he began, "I am Thor Odinson, Prince of Asgard, and this is my brother Loki. Our father, Odin All-Father, rules the Nine Realms from the golden realm of Asgard. We are gods to the people of these realms—including this world we call Midgard. I myself am the god of thunder, though I now see such titles hold little meaning before your power..."

"Gods? Seriously? The people of this world consider you gods?" Orach asked, clearly puzzled.

Thor shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of Orach's skeptical gaze. "Yes, the people of Midgard have long worshipped us as deities."

"I see," Orach replied, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. "More like your advanced capabilities and longevity led them to view you lot as divine beings. Tell me more about these Nine Realms you claim dominion over."

Thor began explaining about Yggdrasil, the World Tree connecting the realms, and Asgard's role as protector of these worlds. As he spoke, Orach listened intently, occasionally nodding but showing no particular reverence for the supposed 'gods' before him.

"Your realm's stewardship of these worlds is commendable," Orach finally said. "However, titles like 'god' should not be given lightly—they must be earned through cultivation and transcending oneself, not bestowed through misunderstanding. Power alone does not make one divine; it merely means you are strong."

Loki, still kneeling, let out a scornful laugh despite his position. "And what gives you the right to lecture us about divinity? I concede you wield power that defies comprehension, but you possess not an ounce of divinity yourself. How dare you speak of what you do not possess?"

Orach's gaze fell upon Loki with an intensity that made even the god of mischief recoil. "The difference, young prince, lies in understanding. I make no claims of godhood because I comprehend the true nature of power. I am a Saiyan, a descendant of an ancient warrior race from the higher realms. Our strength comes not from titles or worship, but through constant evolution and transcendence of our limits."

"This form you see," he continued, gesturing to himself, "is merely my base state. Through countless battles, cultivation and relentless training, I've achieved transformations that truly approach the divine - earned through sacrifice and dedication, not bestowed by birthright." With these words, Orach closed his eyes and summoned his God Ki. The transformation was mesmerizing to those present - his hair shifted to a deep crimson, his form becoming more refined and elegant. A divine aura radiated from him, its nature so profound that those present found themselves kneeling not from force, but from an instinctive recognition of true divinity.

His eyes, now blazing red, fixed on Loki. "Tell me," he spoke, his voice resonating with both wisdom and challenge, "when was the last time you truly pushed beyond your perceived limits? Have you ever pushed beyond your current powers to grasp something greater? That is the path to true strength - not in proclamations of godhood or forcing others to kneel, but in the endless journey of surpassing oneself. Your current state, prince of Asgard, is but a shadow of what you could become if you understood this truth."

The divine energy emanating from Orach was unlike anything they had ever witnessed. The Ancient One, despite her centuries of mystical knowledge, trembled before its overwhelming purity. Thor and Loki, who had lived millennia believing themselves gods, felt utterly humbled in its presence. His words and teachings struck deep, shaking their fundamental beliefs to their core.

Loki's expression shifted from shock to disbelief as he processed the revelation that this being could completely mask such overwhelming pure divinity. A seed of uncertainty took root in his mind. "It's not that simple," he spoke, his usual confidence wavering. "I've spent millennia trying to grow stronger, but there seems to be a ceiling to my power. The only way forward I can see is through external sources like the Infinity Stones."

Orach's disappointment was palpable as he shook his head. "That's precisely the wrong mindset," he stated firmly. "Yes, the path to true power is arduous and time-consuming. But giving up? That's not the answer." He fixed Loki with a penetrating gaze that seemed to see through to his very essence. "Let me ask you something more fundamental: Have you ever questioned whether you're walking the right path? In all your years, have you explored what other potential might lie dormant within you, beyond your affinity for magic?"

"What do you mean?" Loki's eyes widened, a desperate curiosity replacing his earlier defiance. For the first time in centuries, genuine uncertainty crept into his voice.

Orach, sensing the touch of time law upon Loki, felt a familiar resonance with Loki. So, he had purposefully planted these seeds of doubt, hoping to guide the Asgardian prince toward a better path. However, as Loki eagerly awaited further guidance, Orach reminded himself of his own principles - minimal interference in the natural flow of the lower realms.

"Figure it out yourself," he stated firmly, then with a swift gesture, rendered Loki unconscious. As the prince collapsed, Orach shook his head slightly. "Such potential," he mused, "yet no insight to see beyond his current limitations. Perhaps in time..."

Thor rushed to his brother's side, checking his pulse and breathing. Satisfied that Loki was merely unconscious, he turned to Orach with a mix of gratitude and wariness in his expression.

Without acknowledging Thor's gaze, Orach retrieved the Space Stone. Using his God Ki with practiced precision, he crafted an intricate new casing around it, transforming it into a new and more secure Tesseract. He handed it to Thor with casual indifference. "Take it. Such artifacts are mere trinkets compared to true power." His dismissive tone left the observers stunned, their most coveted relics reduced to simple curiosities in his eyes.

After a moment of contemplation, Orach brought his palms together and channeled his God Ki. Before the amazed onlookers, a magnificent lotus materialized, its petals crafted from pure divine energy. With a gentle motion, he released it skyward. As it ascended, the lotus burst open in a spectacular display, its crimson petals dispersing across the heavens in streaming streak of red light. The base of the flower merged with the Earth itself, and immediately, the Ancient One gasped as she felt the world's magical essence grow exponentially richer. Years of environmental damage began to reverse, though she knew it didn't completely heal everything but, it was still a giant leap. Both she and Wong dropped to their knees in profound reverence, recognizing the magnitude of this gift.

His task complete, Orach prepared for departure. Using the space laws, he transported himself to the cosmic void. His form shifted from Super Saiyan God to Ultra Instinct, his power fully adapting to this lower realm. Looking back at the Earth one final time, he spoke softly, "The future remains uncertain, and I choose not to peer through time to glimpse our eventual meeting. I know I'm not yet ready. This gift will enhance your nascent powers, while the world's enrichment will help contain that parasitic entity near the planet's core. And should true danger arise, the soul shard I've merged with this world will manifest to protect you. Until we meet..."

Closing his eyes, Orach extended his senses across the cosmos until he detected Diana's familiar energy signature. With a slight smile, he opened his eyes and prepared for a void step. "Time to return home to my family," he whispered, before vanishing into the fabric of space itself using Void Step.

That day, a petal streaking across the sky found its way to a young woman in a different part of the world. Unbeknownst to her, it silently merged with her essence. In the coming days, it would gradually dissipate within her, enhancing her body and awakening the true potential that lay dormant within.

Back at Stark Tower, in the aftermath of Orach's departure, significant changes were set in motion. The Ancient One, recognizing the evolving nature of global threats, agreed to establish a formal collaboration with SHIELD and the Avengers for future catastrophic events. Thor, bearing both his unconscious brother and the newly encased Tesseract, departed for Asgard to face their father's judgment. SHIELD took custody of Loki's scepter, securing it in their most fortified facility.

Deep in the cosmic void, amid the cold expanse of space, the Mad Titan Thanos sat upon his throne. His massive form cast long shadows in the dim light of distant stars, his mind processing his subordinate's report on the recent attack on Earth.

"So, Loki failed," Thanos mused, his voice indifferent. "Earth's defenders proved more... resourceful than anticipated. But more concerning is this new player - this being of immense power."

He rose from his throne, his massive form casting long shadows in the dim light. "Perhaps it's time I handled matters personally. These unruly wretches need to learn their place in the universe, and the appearance of this powerful entity only makes Earth more... intriguing."

A cruel smile played across his features. "After all, the greatest challenges yield the sweetest victories. The universe will be grateful once I've restored balance - whether they understand it now or not."

"Prepare my armies," he commanded to the shadows. "The time for delegation is over. We gather the stones and once we have the others, we'll make our way to Earth, to get both the Space and Mind stone."


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