⏳ 1953

Kamar-Taj. A place I had not entered in a very long a time. A place that was filled to the brim with power that people like you could never comprehend to understand. And the best place for tea, mind you. I've never had tea that trumps theirs, and you'll never try it, unfortunately. Sorry.

The last time I set foot in the temple was the trainwreck that was Kaluu, so it had been a couple hundred years. Counting my fingers, it was probably about five.

The silence was intimidating, so full of both powerful energy and knowledge that was possibly beyond even my years. And that was terrifying.

I slipped into the library, dimly lit by lamps powered by unusual light sources. I didn't hear anyone. There was no one present, giving me time and privacy to do what I had to. No normal soul could know what my intention in the temple was. Such knowledge was incredibly dangerous for not just me and my people, but all of time and space and all the infinite universes.

It was perched on a holder in the centre of its pedestal, it's gold outer shell gleaming in the dimness. The Eye of Agamotto, a powerful item I'd only known a Sorcerer Supreme to have the abilities to use. And that was what I was counting on. The Sorcerer Supreme should be the only person to wield it, especially once I was finished with it.

I stood before it, taking one more wary look around behind me to make absolutely sure that I was alone, and it seemed like I was. But I was in a place of magic, and anything could happen. For all I knew, one of them was lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect time to strike.

I waved my hands over the Eye. The criss-crossing gold limbs arced and curled away and the eyelid opened, revealing a slot for only one thing. I pulled the Stone hidden against my chest from around my neck, away from pressing against my heart. It glowed with power, green light dispelling the dark and dimness of the library. This was where it belonged. It couldn't remain in my possession. That was too much of a risk to take, and not to mention it was dangerous for me of all people to have it, regardless of me being the Lady of Time or not. It was under watchful eyes here, and I knew it would fall into the right hands when he finally arrived to the temple.

I disconnected the Stone from the necklace's clasp and slotted it into the Eye's lid. The glow intensified as it adjusted to its new home, humming with unspeakable power. I waved my hands over it again, and the lid closed, the gold limbs criss-crossing back over, locking the Time Stone inside. Safe.

I breathed, the weight of the powerful object off my shoulders. Thanos would come for it eventually. He would come for all the Stones in due time. I felt better with the Eye and the Stone in the right hands of a strange guy than in mine. The temptation of power was too great. The rush I'd felt using the Stone against Eon...I wasn't meant for that power, especially the raw kind that omitted from that weapon. It needed to be in the hands of someone who could harness it with intelligence and patience, rather than someone who could use it for domination. My strange friend would use it well.

"The Lady of Time." I spun around to come face to face with a familiar pale expression, her eyes as equally as old as mine staring back at me. She steepled her fingers thoughtfully. "And what intentions does the most powerful Time Walker possess to travel to Kamar-Taj?"

I inclined my head politely. "Ancient One. My intentions are good. I wish no harm on your teachings or your temple. I am simply here to deliver an item too dangerous to be in my hands."

Her eyes flicked to the Eye behind me. She raised her chin. "An Infinity Stone." I nodded. "You bring it to me?"

"It's safer here than in my possession," I said. "I've used it. Its power is too great for me. Unspeakable horrors will come knocking if the likes of me get their hands on it. The Dark Dimension will make Earth its new home. And the beast who wields the Infinity Gauntlet will come. You and I both know we can't let that happen."

The Ancient One fell silent for what felt like an eternity. She was a powerful woman, and being in her presence was a feeling of both overwhelming vigorousness and dread. "You do not wish to have power?"

I bit my lip, wording my reply very carefully. "I have enough power. The Time Stone is not a power I need nor should I have."

A small smirk pulled at her lips. "An interesting reply. A truthful one."

I stood taller, raising my chin. "Power is domination, my lady. It is control and therefore a very selective form of truth that many take, which almost always has the capacity to be a lie. It usually is. That's not the kind of power I want. That's not the kind of power people who are unfit should have."

"Power does no corrupt people, Lady Time. People corrupt power."

Words had never rung so true. So many people in my life experienced that first hand: Albius Trafargo, Primavera, the Lord, Eon, Eilian. Power never corrupted them. They corrupted power to gain it. And the damage they had caused was almost endless. So much so that I'd been left to pick up the pieces. As Lady of Time, I wouldn't make the same mistakes. I would make sure of that.

I went to leave. "Look after the Stone, Ancient One. It's no secret to us that more powerful things are coming, and that Stone will be something they will collect." I brushed past her, heading towards the exit of the library. "Oh, and in a few years' time, you'll be getting a visitor. A doctor. A man who needs guidance to become someone who will be the catalyst of everything. Teach him well."

"Like many of us, you have a path paved out for you, Lady Time," the Ancient One said. "Your path is a hard one to walk. A path that has been chosen for you a very long time ago, a slippery slope moulded and shaped by the powers you have been so gratefully given for the very position you stand in before me. One that you stepped on the second you became what you are. One that will determine the lives of many. One that, if you stray off of, will cause the destruction of more than just time." She tilted her head curiously. "Interesting. This path and these powers have made you who you are today."

I turned my head slightly. I felt my new power coursing through my veins, but not with anger at such prophetic words, but with determination that I knew I could shatter them like the glass ceiling I had already.

"Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with."

❈Author's Note: Hey, there! If you've seen Doctor Strange, this would make sense. Sorry to disappoint you that he didn't make a cameo with Andi here. Though I'm sure he'll meet her very soon ;)

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