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With a massive explosion, the entire castle vanished, replaced by a gigantic mushroom cloud rising into the sky.
The Sokovian government later declared that it had been an illegal experimental accident. The castle's owner had been secretly developing something, which led to the disaster. Due to the explosion, the specifics of the experiment remained unknown. However, the absence of residual radiation led the government to reclaim the land for itself.
These were nothing more than official statements. Sokovia wasn't large; a castle of that size couldn't have gone unnoticed by the authorities.
...
Link activated a spatial portal and brought Wanda and Pietro to the Avengers' ground headquarters. He handed them over to Natasha, who arranged rooms for them as reserve members of the core Avengers team.
Returning home, Link contacted the Avengers to report the mission and briefly mentioned his possession of the Mind Stone.
Though surprising, no one seemed particularly shocked anymore. With three Infinity Stones in his possession, Link's prowess was beyond question.
The night passed uneventfully. Upon waking the next day, Link felt slightly different. He looked at the three rings on his left hand, each embedded with a differently colored stone.
The Space Stone had merely provided some extra energy to his body, not much by his standards. The Reality Stone seemed to augment some kind of magical power, though he had yet to unlock its full potential—perhaps finding Kamar-Taj or meeting the Ancient One would have helped, though she seemed to avoid him. It made sense; someone wielding two Infinity Stones would warrant caution.
But today, something had shifted. The Mind Stone seemed to have altered his perception of his surroundings. Without getting out of bed, he stared at his bedside table, and his phone began to levitate. Startled, Link watched as it floated momentarily before dropping back with a soft 'thud.'
Though unpracticed, it was clear: he now had telekinesis.
It was no surprise that each Infinity Stone affected its wielder differently, enhancing particular abilities. Thanos may have used them effectively, but even he hadn't tapped into their full potential. Someone with greater innate power could push the stones' limits even further.
In Link's case, his already heightened mental faculties seemed amplified by the Mind Stone.
After breakfast, he opened a portal to the Avengers' headquarters. Wanda and Pietro were already training, adjusting to their newfound abilities. Pietro was learning to control his speed, while Wanda was still exploring the depths of her powers.
"How are they doing?" Link asked Natasha.
"They're incredibly strong," Natasha replied. "Their abilities will be a great asset to us, but they're still not fully in control."
"When they are, they'll be key contributors. Though, I'll admit, the stronger we become, the more it worries me."
Link understood her concerns. Natasha was no stranger to the harsh realities of the world.
"You don't need to fear," Link reassured her. "There's nothing on Earth that can truly threaten us anymore. And those who might, they're unlikely to act without provocation."
"How's recruitment going?"
"Pretty well," Natasha responded. "The personnel for the space headquarters are fully assembled, including the pilots for our fighter jets. They're training in space as we speak."
"The F-22 jets are extremely nimble," she continued, "so we need skilled pilots. But good candidates are hard to come by, and every one we get is invaluable."
"Once they're ready," Link added, "we'll be able to embark on missions to explore some advanced planets. It's crucial to establish alliances and gather information. Asgard doesn't keep a close watch on the cosmos, but we can't afford to be as lax."
"Especially with Thanos out there," Link warned. "His interest in Earth is clear, and that's our biggest concern."
Natasha nodded thoughtfully. She then asked, "T'Challa and Shuri are making progress in their training, but T'Challa's course load is lighter. Where do you plan to place him?"
Link paused before responding, "When we venture into space, Earth's defenses will weaken. Even if we maintain communication, it'll take time to return. So, our homefront needs to be well-guarded."
"Who's leaving with us?" Natasha asked.
"I'll definitely be going," Link replied, "and T'Challa's input as a prince will be vital. Stark will likely want to come too. As for the starship's commander—well, that will be you."
"And the rest will stay behind to hold the fort."
A small smile played at the corners of Natasha's lips. "Sounds like a solid plan. I've always wanted to see the cosmos."
Link laughed. "You're in for a rough ride. Space jumps aren't exactly a pleasant experience."
"Anyway, I'm off," Link said, opening a portal and disappearing from the headquarters.
He reappeared in the wilderness outside New York, preparing to train his newfound telekinetic powers. He drew inspiration from Ebony Maw, whose telekinesis was formidable. Link's, fueled by the Mind Stone, had likely been unlocked by the stone itself—much like how Loki's scepter had awakened abilities in others.
To test his theory, Link planned to try using his powers without the rings after some practice. For now, he focused on mastering the skill.
As it turned out, it wasn't difficult at all. His superhuman brain allowed him to quickly grasp and fine-tune the use of telekinesis.
Superman truly was a cheat code. With immense power, a hyper-advanced mind, and if he hadn't restrained himself with a strict moral code, he could have been unstoppable. Fortunately, Link didn't share those restraints. While he kept much of his power hidden to avoid unwanted attention, when the situation called for it, he wasn't afraid to unleash his full potential.
(End of Chapter)