Silverfire - Chapter 46 (Patreon)

Chapter 46 – Loose Ends

[2016]

Surrounded by a blue barrier and floating in the dark ocean that was outer space, Pietro looked at the barren planet in front of him.

In the past he had heard the planet being described as a domain of death and he had to agree.

Even his keen senses couldn't detect any life on the planet, except the specter-like existence that guarded this place.

Vormir.

That was the name of the planet in front of him, or better known as the place where the Soul Stone was located.

Pietro wasn't here for the Gem, as he knew the price it required wasn't something he could afford to pay.

No, he was here to make sure that nobody would ever get his hands on the Infinity Stone.

In the past he had thought that erasing Gamora's memory of this place might have been enough to achieve such an effect, but he had quickly realised that such thoughts were too naive.

Who could guarantee, that in this large Universe, none other would find a map to this place or have knowledge about its existence? As such, he could only opt for a more drastic measure to ensure that no one would ever be able to find the stone.

Grabbing the air with both his hands, he directed the enormous energy of the Power Stone and used it to fuel his operation of the Space Stone, as he was about to do something he wasn't entirely sure was even possible.

Like a broken dam, a torrent of blue energy left his body and followed his will in surrounding the vast planet before him.

Feeling the space around Vormir being under his control, Pietro simple 'pulled' and in the process tried to seperate Vormir from the rest of the Universe.

Pietro felt an unerring resistance against his actions, but he simply upped the energy output of the Infinity Stones contained by his body.

Fortunately he was a patient and determined man, as he didn't know how long it took for the resistance he felt to slowly lose in strength.

Little by litte, the space connecting Vormir to the rest of the galaxy was severed, until finally the planet existed in a completely seperated sub-space, that was entirely under Pietro's control.

More and more energy gathered around Vormir, as he ordered the space to shrink in on itself – to compress and contract.

Time passed slowly, but Pietro's focus didn't waver as he watched the plant grow smaller and smaller, inch by inch, until finally the entirety of Vormir was only the size of a marble.

Expressionless, he cut open his own chest and placed the shrunken planet on the right side of his lung – opposite to his heart, before letting the healing power of Extremis close the wound. The remaining blood turning to ashes under the incredible heat of his flames.

For the rest of his days he would have to keep manipulating the space in and around Vormir, to avoid the sudden enlargement of the planet, but his mind had already grown strong enough to endure such a strain.

Additionally, Pietro knew that this burden was something he had to carry, if he wanted to avoid others using the Soul Stone against him and his family.

Knowing that his mission wasn't over yet, Pietro looked at the rift in space before him, being aware of the danger inherent in such a phenomen.

He knew that powerful beings, like Dormamu, could use such rifts to cross over from their dimensions, so he had to take care of this.

Once again calling upon the infinite power inside of him, the broken space in front of him, began to stich itself together under his careful watch. With the Space Stone's power this was an easy matter and took only a short while.

Finally having resolved one of his remaining worries, Pietro let out a breath of relief and once again vanished from this place in a cloud of dark blue smoke.

…

[2016]

[Earth – Kathmandu – Kamar-Taj]

Turning around, the Ancient One looked at the man that had suddenly appeared in the hall leading to her quarters.

Silvery blonde hair, bright crystal eyes and a toned physique hidden beneath black clothing.

If he hadn't revealed himself with the sound of his footsteps, she wouldn't have known that he was even there.

His presence was undetectable even for her senses, which made it easy for her to guess who exactly he was.

“Pietro Maximoff, Silverfire or, more fitting, the anomaly. I have been wondering, when and if I would ever meet you.”, she said lightly, showing no fear towards the intruder.

A slight tilting of his head was all the Ancient One received as an answer.

“Come with me, let's talk. I assume that's what you are here for?”, she said, as she led Pietro into her quarters and started to prepare some tea.

“Originally I didn't plan on meeting you, but simply take the Time Stone and leave. Sadly, I don't think that would work out in the long run. Contrary to the other Infinity Stones, the Time Stone is used by this Order and primarily the Sorcerer Supreme, to actively defend the Earth and the Universe from outside forces.”, Pietro answered the Ancient One calmly.

“That is correct. Even though I have to admit, that I am curious as to where you gained this knowledge.”, came her reply.

“You, of all people, should know that there are mysteries out there that are simply beyond explanations and understanding.”

“I suppose you are right. So, why have you come to meet me then, Mr. Maximoff?”

Pietro grabbed the air before him and pulled roughly a dozen severed heads from the void.

“Before we get to that, I believe you these are the rogue Masters you have been searching for.”

“The Zealots.”, the Ancient One whispered in astonishment, recognizing the former members of her order easily enough. She spotted even Kaecilius among them, a personal student of hers and leader of the renegade group.

The implications of their deaths was something she could hardly grasp, as even her own fate had suddenly changed drastically.

“Why?”, she asked simply, a serious look on her face.

“Dormamu is a serious threat to all life in this universe and he best stay where he is. I would kill him, if I could, but as that isn't something I am capable of right now, denying him access to this dimension is the second best option.”, Pietro answered her in a grave tone.

A short pause arose between the both of them, though the Ancient One broke it soon enough.

“You know what will happen?”, she inquired, wondering if the man before had seen the future like she had.

“I know very little.”

Sighing to herself, the Ancient One sank into her armchair after serving her guest and herself a cup of tea.

“Why have you come here?”, she asked directly this time.

“The stone. I am afraid you cannot protect it. I know you use it as a weapon against dark forces, but it could just as well be used against you, or me for that matter. The only deciding factor here is the question of you being able to protect this weapon.”, Pietro answered her, before taking a sip of the offered beverage.

“What do you propose then? We have protected the Time Stone from falling into the hands of others since ancient times, never has it been taken from our hands, though I admit such a possibility isn't to be neglected.”, the Ancient One asked after thinking about his words and realising that he was right to some degree.

“Propose? I don't propose anything. I wouldn't have come here to meet you, if I was already set on what to do.”, he said, a smidgen of helplessness colouring his tone.

Another short pause strechted between them, as both of them were occupied with their own thoughts and drank their tea in silence.

“The stone... You speak of them with a great familiarity. I wonder...”, the Ancient said in curiosity, leaving the rest of her question unsaid.

“Space.”, Pietro answered simply, letting the gem's energy flare up slightly, causing the space above his right palm to twist and bend. A blue shine covering the phenomenon.

“It fits you.”, the Ancient One said, before continuing, “And maybe, we can come to an arrangement of sorts, an alliance perhaps?...”