— Some time ago, London, Sanctum of the Sorcerer Supreme —
On Earth, the mystic guardians responsible for protecting both reality and the dimensional fabric operate out of three Sanctums:
London, New York, and Hong Kong.
These three Sanctums draw arcane energy from the dimensions, forming a protective magical shield that blankets the planet, warding off evil entities from other realms.
Of course, as the saying goes—when science becomes advanced enough, it's indistinguishable from magic.
Regardless of whether dimensional sorcery is an ancient form of technology or a lost art from a forgotten civilization.
It all boils down to knowledge and manipulation of universal laws.
In essence, it's not so different from the tech wielded by Tony Stark or Kagura.
But today, the visitor to the New York Sanctum isn't here to debate the nature of science versus magic with the Sorcerer Supreme.
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"You're asking me... to persuade Kagura Hitomi and gather reinforcements from so far away?"
Seated calmly in the Sanctum's reception hall, the Ancient One—robed in yellow—gazed placidly at her guest.
"Mr. Barnes, mystic sorcerers are tasked with protecting this planet from threats like the Dark Dimension. We don't usually get involved in other disputes."
Bucky Barnes, sitting across from her as an emissary of Kagura, replied, "Miss Kagura believes that if Ultron isn't stopped now, it won't just endanger Earth."
"It could threaten civilizations across the universe—ushering in a full-blown age of machines."
The Ancient One's expression remained unreadable, though she paused thoughtfully.
"Kagura's concerns aren't unfounded. I've seen glimpses of such a bleak future myself."
"But that alone isn't reason enough for me to intervene. I still believe the Avengers are capable of handling this."
Bucky sighed. "Yeah... That's what Kagura predicted you'd say."
Ignoring the Ancient One's faint look of curiosity, Bucky reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled slip of paper.
"She asked me to read this to you. I don't understand what it means, but she said you would."
He cleared his throat and read aloud:
"Dear Ancient One, no offense intended, but I've already healed Stephen Strange's hands for him."
"I worry this might affect you, especially if an indefinite delay in retirement becomes an issue."
"So, if you can lend your support in dealing with Ultron, I promise I'll help you with your... 'succession crisis.'"
When Bucky looked up, still baffled by the cryptic message, he found the Ancient One smiling—genuinely, for the first time.
"Hahaha... That cheeky girl really knows how to win over someone nearing retirement. Very well. Just this once—I'll lend a hand."
"...Huh?"
Bucky stared, dumbfounded by the sudden shift.
"So… you'll help us?"
The Ancient One nodded.
"Yes. I'll help contact potential allies and open the necessary portals. But convincing them to fight? That's up to Kagura's charisma."
Her smile returned.
"But she's not wrong. Ultron is no longer just Earth's problem. If his vibranium army fully forms, the consequences could be catastrophic—even on a cosmic scale. I believe your friends will rise to the occasion."
After all...
If the machine age truly dawns, even sorcerers will lose the world they've so long protected.
And the Nine Realms and every other civilization—will not escape destruction.
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— Beneath the Machine City, Edge of the Sahara Desert —
"Avengers—assemble!"
Standing confidently before a tide of approaching machines, Kagura showed no fear.
With conviction, she called out for the heroes.
An orange portal began to shimmer open behind her.
The bonds forged during her journey now responded in unison.
"Hitomi, is this your so-called 'hyper-speed global deployment'? I've really stopped understanding the tech of this era."
First through the portal came Captain America—Steve Rogers—fully armored and wielding an upgraded vibranium shield.
"Whoa, it's scorching! Is this the Sahara?"
"To be honest, this feels less like science and more like straight-up magic," quipped Hawkeye as he stepped out next, his gear looking increasingly futuristic.
"Or... Miss Kagura, has your tech already evolved to this level?"
"Hardly!" Kagura waved her hands. "If I could do that, I'd just toss Ultron's entire mechanical city into the sun and call it a day."
"This time, we had help from a truly remarkable ally," she added with a grin. "Support like this? You might only get it once in a lifetime!"
War Machine—Rhodey—emerged from the portal next, soaring in his freshly repaired and upgraded suit.
"Who's this amazing person? Are they with the Avengers? I've gotta meet them—maybe they can make my armor as powerful as Tony's. No—cooler. Stronger!"
Tony Stark chimed in dryly, "Rhodey, are you dreaming? You want an upgrade? Come to me."
"Can you make me as handsome as you?"
"No."
"As strong as you?"
"Still no."
"Then what's the point?!"
"Sigh... After everything we've been through, I thought the Avengers would've finally learned to get along,"
Nick Fury's voice crackled through their comms.
"But I see bickering's still your default setting."
Above them, a massive portal tore open in the sky, revealing a sleek new Helicarrier descending majestically.
"Surprised?" Fury continued. "S.H.I.E.L.D. may be gone, but we've still got a few toys left in the vault."
"No, it's not as fancy as Pierce's orbital battleship, but it'll do the job."
"Director, all systems are ready. The Quinjet squad is prepped and awaiting deployment."
Coulson's familiar voice came through the communicator—it had been a while.
"Long time no see, Miss Kagura. Don't tell me you've forgotten me? I'm Agent Coulson, formerly of S.H.I.E.L.D. You know, the guy who helped you set up Rhodes Island Industries..."
"Save the catching-up for later. We've got a ton of metal junk to dismantle!"
Natasha cut in, her voice sharp and eager.
"Speaking of which, Hitomi, what's up with the new motorcycle you gave me? Why the hell did it transform into a talking robot mid-fight?!"
One by one, Avengers began pouring through portals from around the globe, arriving in the heart of the Sahara Desert.
They formed a battle line, facing down Ultron's vast mechanical army.
"Hey, Hitomi," Tony Stark turned his head, casually surveying the metal horde ahead,
"Looking at those numbers… don't you think even with the full Avengers roster, we're still painfully outnumbered?"
"Hmph! I beg to differ." Kagura answered with unwavering resolve.
"If I've decided to take fate into my own hands, then I'll go all the way. The Avengers here now are just the advance team. What we need… is an army to back them up!"
As soon as she finished speaking, even more portals slowly opened behind the Avengers.
On the other side—an opulent golden hall.
"My sister! The army of Asgard has arrived! We will fight alongside the Avengers and crush this scourge called Ultron before it takes root!"
A flash of crimson streaked across the sky.
Thunder cracked and lightning roared—dark clouds quickly covered the long-dry Sahara.
"Ultron! How dare you threaten my sister, the Princess of Asgard! Your arrogance knows no bounds! Come out and meet your end!"
"ASGARD—MARCH!"
With General Hogun's command, the Asgardian army, clad in gleaming golden armor, marched through the portals in perfect formation.
Their ranks stood tall against the distant mechanical legion.
"Miss Kagura, I heard your story while in Vanaheim." A voice came from another portal that shimmered open.
"You gave our sorrowful race a new chance at survival."
"And so, they've answered your call—standing with you against the evil that seeks to turn the universe into a machine world."
Valkyrie Sigrún rode in on a white steed, her silver blade raised high as a legion of dark-clad warriors followed her from the stars beyond.
"Unbelievable… I never thought I'd see the day when Dark Elves would fight alongside Asgardians!"
"What's so unbelievable about it? Honestly, I still can't believe I'm standing with the Asgardian army" Loki emerged from the same portal, smirking.
"Kagura, watch your back. This is a battlefield, after all—I just might stab you in it."
"What? Backstabbing? Count me in!" Deadpool burst onto the scene, dual alloy katanas in hand and clad in his iconic red suit.
"Actually, I kinda like that Kagura girl. So, you can't kill her—because then she can't be my girlfriend!"
"You're delusional, you red-suited pervert!" Lady Sif snapped as she stepped forward, sword and silver shield gleaming.
"She's the woman Prince Thor has his eye on—what makes you think a mortal like you could ever win her heart?"
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The army was assembled.
Now, Ultron faced not just the Avengers—but a grand coalition bound together by destiny, all orbiting around Kagura.
"Ultron, even now… do you still believe you can replace all life in the universe?"
Kagura raised her hand, gripping her blade tightly, and pointed toward the mechanical city ahead.
"All forces—charge! Crush them!"