LazySageDao
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598. Ambassador
🕑 Added 2024-04-11 08:15:24 +0000 UTC“Master Makana, have you found out what this is?” asked King T’Chaka to the current leading scientist of Wakanda, an older gentleman with deep eyes and a somber face.
“It is a unique crystal that uses nanostructures to enclose and regulate light,” Makana said in a slow cadence. “With its ability to regulate photoconductivity, our development of quantum computers will be accelerated by hundreds of years.”
“So, it’s valuable?”
“Very.”
“Valuable enough to trade vibranium?”
“That is for you to decide,” said Makana calmly.
“I’m asking for your opinion.”
Makana paused, “I think the trade is worth it. At our current development, I cannot tell you how long it will take us to master quantum computing. But with this crystal, it will only take 10 to 20 years.”
King T’Chaka was in deep thought when he heard the sound of rapid footsteps. “Baba, I heard there was an intruder. Did you kill it?” A seven-year-old Shuri rushed into the room, heading directly for her father. King T’Chaka smiled before picking her up: “Why are you in such a hurry? Your mother will not be happy that you forgot your etiquette.”
“She’s not here, is she?” said Shuri, sticking out her tongue—an act that deepened T’Chaka’s smile. So, where is the intruder?”
“There is no intruder. Just someone who wished to talk.”
“Oh,” she muttered, instantly losing interest. Then, she caught signs of the hologram screens that showed the crystal’s result. “What’s this? It's such a weird nanostructure. With how much the refractive index of this thing changes periodically, it’s a perfect material for a quantum computer. Master Makana, is this a new model for something you want to synthesize?”
Makana showed a rare smile. Everyone knew this somber man only showed a genuine smile when he taught the princess. “No, this is a new material your father just brought back.”
“Really? Such a thing exists naturally?”
“Baba,” suddenly said T’Chala, who had entered the room. T’Chaka nodded to him with a smile. “Come, tell me what you think?”
Sokovia:
An invisible Edward looked at the 16-year-old Wanda and Pietro living in an orphanage, wondering what to do with them. They had not awakened their powers yet, so Edward contemplated whether he should adopt them and help them with the process. However, he hesitated because of Wanda or the Scarlet Witch.
Without hesitation, he used the Time Stone to check the future, and after a few minutes, he woke up with a sigh. He discovered taking them earlier on would be a mistake because of their hatred of Tony. Edward used different means to reduce their hatred for him since he did not want a valuable team player like Iron Man to die, but he failed miserably.
All his actions, including telling her the truth in advance and putting them through therapy. He found a few timelines where his methods worked, but the successive butterfly effects were things he did not want. After a few more attempts, he found a solution.
‘Certain things must proceed accordingly while I secretly guide them from the shadows,’ Edward thought. The twins must forgive Tony on their own without his “interference.” However, he will eventually have to confront the fact that he was manipulating them, as this secret cannot be hidden according to what he saw. Some people or entities will use this knowledge to destroy the Avengers from the inside; hence, Edward knew it could not be hidden no matter what.
‘So, I only need to tell the truth at the appropriate time to mitigate the damage,’ he thought before beginning his first step: he found a lovely and wealthy couple to adopt the Maximoff Twins, removing them from the orphanage and giving them a decent life.
In fact, Edward wanted to revive their parents to fix the initial problem with their hatred for Tony, but things were more complicated than expected. Many interdimensional beings knew of the existence of the [Scarlet Witch] and were awaiting her appearance. That’s why the [Darkhold] was engraved in some temple, with prophecies about her and awaiting her acquisition. As such, the soul of Wanda’s parents is in the hands of some people that he could not afford to offend now.
Once he set them up, Edward opened a portal to Antarctica to see the Ancient One, who was still updating the Earth's shield.
“Are you done?” she asked.
“Yes,” nodded Edward. “What about your side?”
“Odin has accepted my application. You can now go to Asgard as an ambassador.”
“Anything you want me to do specifically?”
“I don’t have to worry about your behavior or how to properly represent Kamar Taj, so just show him the vision of the future we saw,” said the Ancient One.
“I understand.”
The following day, Edward teleported to the rendezvous point—a large, open cornfield. He waited a few minutes before sensing an unknown and faraway sight. Then, a rainbow rushed from the sky and took him to the sky. The flying sensation was alright since he was used to much faster speed, but the experience was still somewhat marvelous. He was at his destination in less than a second, facing a handsome black man dressed in gold armor.
“You must be Heimdall.”
“Sorcerer Supreme,” nodded Heimdal, showing his respect.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“It’s my duty. Your majesty is awaiting you,” said Heimdall, pointing to a small group of soldiers led by Lady Sif.
“Please, follow me,” she said, and Edward did so. He was quiet during the walk, observing the Rainbow Bridge leading to the palace. “Interesting,” he muttered.
“What is, sir?” asked Sif with a very formal attitude.
“I’m talking about the Bifrost Bridge,” Edward said casually. “It’s an interdimensional energy that perfectly combines light and space. It’s quite brilliant.”
“I guess so.” She knew very little about the Bifrost, so she could not comment much. Soon, the two reached the palace, but their destination was not the Throne Room but the Banquet Room. Odin, his family, and a few upper echelons of Asgardian society awaited his arrival.
“Welcome, young Sorcerer Supreme,” said Odin, standing up with Freya beside him and Thor and Loki behind.
“Your Majesty the Allfather,” Edward replied politely. With one look, he could tell how strong Odin was. His regular attack power was Tier 3; his defense reached as high as Tier 6, but it was due to his weakening due to old age. However, this was not the full extent of his power. Edward sensed he had a connection to a terrifying power.
‘It should be the Odinforce, and from the looks of it, it should not be a problem for him to achieve Tier 10 attack potency if he can bear to use it in his state,’ he summarized.
“Let me introduce you to my family,” Odin said before introducing everyone while leading Edward to their table. As rulers, Odin and Edward knew how to maintain a conversation, so for the next few hours, they talked about every subject, from the history and current development of Midgard to anecdotes of their travels, politics, and even a little bit of magic.
Of course, as old foxes, their conversation was to learn about the other’s thoughts and characters. Sadly, Odin lost this round despite his higher age and wisdom since Edward knew much about him before.
So, after a few hours of the banquet, Odin faked his injury and claimed he needed to rest. He tasked Thor and Loki to continue entertaining the guests as he left with Freya.
