c62 Missing Matt
The celebration lasted for three days and nights, eventually coming to an end.
On the morning of the fourth day, everyone gathered at the Rainbow Bridge Control Center to bid farewell to Russell, the Ancient One, Thor, and Loki.
As Russell observed the surroundings, his attention was drawn to a bright light. He realized that Heimdall had been stationed at the control center throughout the celebrations, never once joining the festivities.
Upon noticing Heimdall, Russell suddenly recalled something.
Without hesitation, he approached Heimdall and got straight to the point: "Heimdall, can I ask you a favor? I need to find Thanos."
Heimdall's face became serious. "The master of the Dark Order, Thanos? The executioner who brings slaughter in the name of balance?"
With a wave of his hand, Heimdall activated a projection.
On the screen, a towering Titan appeared, with purple skin, a prominent vertical chin, a muscular build, and adorned in blue and gold armor with golden shoulder pads, golden boots, and a blue and gold helmet.
"That's him," Russell confirmed, nodding.
Heimdall replied, "Alright. When I locate him, I will inform you, Russell."
"Thank you," Russell said.
The Ancient One, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "Are you searching for Thanos because of the Mind Stone he possesses?"
Russell nodded. "Yes. I intend to use the Mind Stone to unlock Wanda and Pietro's powers."
The Mind Stone can enhance the user's mental awareness, awaken or amplify telepathic and telekinetic abilities, and can augment other psychic powers. It also allows the user to read minds, implant memories, create illusions, and even control others' consciousness.
It seemed like the ideal tool to unlock Wanda and Pietro's latent powers.
The Ancient One shook her head. "No, Russell. Using the Infinity Stones is not that simple. Each of them carries its own will, and their characteristics affect the user."
She paused, and then continued, her voice dropping to a more private tone as she telepathically communicated with him. "The Mind Stone amplifies psychological traits. For Wanda, due to her traumatic childhood, she has a deep attachment to family. The Stone would heighten this, making her more unstable and susceptible to emotional fluctuations."
Russell frowned, but didn't dwell on the warning. He was familiar with the Time Stone, albeit a replica created by the White-bearded Ancient One, which didn't have the same complications. He'd never interacted with the real Infinity Stones.
But as for replicas... that was a different story.
Heimdall, noticing Russell's contemplative silence, asked, "Should we still search for Thanos?"
Russell responded, "Yes. I'm not just after the Mind Stone."
On one hand, he wanted to observe the true power of the Mind Stone and perhaps learn how to replicate it like the White-bearded Ancient One had done.
On the other hand, Thanos represented a significant destabilizing force. While Russell wasn't concerned about Thanos attacking Earth, he had grown aware that the power of the Infinity Stones was subtly influencing him. Since upgrading his panel to its third stage, his [perception] had heightened, surpassing ordinary understanding.
He had a nagging sense that the Infinity Stones were exerting some force on him.
Even though he was confident in his ability to confront Thanos with the magical abilities granted by the Infinity Gauntlet (if he had all six Stones), he wasn't willing to take chances. After all, this was a real universe, not a fictional one. He had no idea whether there were versions of Thanos as powerful as the Heart of the Universe.
Russell didn't plan to remain on Earth forever or even in this universe. Time flow could vary drastically across different dimensions and universes, and he knew it was possible for time to pass differently, like the experience of Ant-Man Scott Lang, where five hours in the Quantum Realm equated to five years on Earth.
The risk of losing his home while stranded in another dimension was too great.
"Understood," Heimdall said, preparing to activate the Rainbow Bridge.
A burst of brilliant light enveloped them, and within moments, the group of four Russell, Thor, Loki, and the Ancient One was gone from Asgard.
"To gather intelligence about the Dark Order, and locate Thanos," Heimdall confirmed as he activated the Bridge.
When they arrived on Earth, Heimdall deactivated the Rainbow Bridge, sheathed his sword, and ordered the guards to resume their duties.
Despite his impressive senses being able to hear Asgardian voices across vast stretches of space Heimdall knew that finding Thanos in the infinite vastness of the universe would be an impossible task. He could sense the life essence of Asgardians due to a special connection, but locating Thanos was a different challenge entirely.
The shimmering light of the Bridge faded as they arrived in Tonsberg, Norway, the site of the ancient battle between the forces of Asgard and Midgard against the Jotunheim.
Heimdall's decision to bring them here likely had a deeper meaning, a gesture from Odin, hinting at the long-standing alliance between Asgard and Kamar-Taj.
Russell, oblivious to the deeper significance, was more focused on the task at hand. Without delay, he opened a portal and led the group back to Kamar-Taj, where they could gather their thoughts and prepare for the next steps.
Meanwhile, on Earth, Erin was frantic.
Three days ago, Matt had abruptly stopped all communication. Sensing something was wrong, she immediately reached out to Russell. However, Earth-based phones couldn't bridge the vastness of space, and calls failed to connect.
Panicked, she visited Russell's bookstore in Queens, New York, only to find it empty. She left a note, then searched for any other contacts who might have information on Russell's whereabouts.
Her increasingly desperate search caught the attention of S.H.I.E.L.D., which had always monitored Russell closely.
"Mr. Coulson, do you have any way to reach Russell?" Erin asked, her voice tinged with anxiety.
Coulson nodded slowly, then hesitated. "S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't have direct contact with Russell, but there may be one person who does."
"Who?" Erin asked urgently.
"Iron Man, Tony Stark," Coulson replied. "He may have a way."
Erin's thoughts raced. She recalled that Tony Stark had been assassinated by Dr. Pym, his body destroyed, but his soul had continued to guide Pepper through the Stark Building. Russell had saved Tony shortly thereafter.
Although S.H.I.E.L.D. had been unable to reach him, Tony Stark might have the key to finding Russell.
"Iron Man..." Erin whispered, remembering Tony's attendance at last year's Christmas Eve party, clad in his Iron Man suit.
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