Beside Doctor Strange, Wong stepped forward, surveying the battlefield littered with the bodies of Chitauri soldiers. His expression twisted into a mix of awe and discomfort. "What kind of hatred drives someone like this? I've never seen a girl so calm while causing such… destruction."
Strange smirked but didn't respond.
Though he didn't know Jean Grey's full story, he had pieced together enough to understand that she wasn't from this universe. Her demeanor hinted at a life of persecution and rejection in her former world. Here, things were different. Thor had shown her kindness, and Asgard had welcomed her as one of their own, offering a sense of belonging she had never known. To her, Asgard was home.
When Thanos and his forces brought Ragnarök upon Asgard, nearly wiping it out, it was only Thor's presence that kept Jean from unleashing her full wrath.
Wong furrowed his brow, studying Jean closely. "Why does it feel like she's holding back? There's something in her—a power far greater than what she's using now. It's terrifying… even worse than Dormammu. If it ever awakens—"
He stopped himself, realizing the implications of his words. Jean was under Thor's protection, and Wong wasn't about to jinx their situation with ominous predictions.
"It's fine," Strange said, cutting him off. "She's wearing a relic that contains her power. It keeps her from losing control."
Wong's gaze fell on the faint glimmer around Jean's neck, a hidden object only a Sorcerer Supreme could perceive.
Strange nodded. "If it ever comes to that, we have Thor."
Wong noted Strange's phrasing. He didn't say, It won't happen. He said, If it happens.
Southern Coast of Manhattan: Corvus Glaive vs. Captain America
The southern battlefield was alive with chaos. Corvus Glaive, one of Thanos' most trusted lieutenants, scanned the scene until his eyes locked onto Steve Rogers. The star-spangled shield was a dead giveaway.
That's the leader, Glaive thought. Take him down, and the rest will crumble.
Corvus Glaive smirked. Steve's physique was impressive by human standards, but he was no match for the enhanced might of the Black Order. Killing him would be a simple task.
Across the battlefield, Steve seemed to read his mind. Without hesitation, he hurled his shield, the iconic vibranium disc slicing through the air with a sharp whoosh, aimed directly at Glaive's head.
The alien warrior sneered. Pathetic, he thought, swatting the shield aside with his glaive. His confidence grew as he charged forward, intent on finishing the fight quickly.
But before he could strike, a sudden force slammed into the back of his head, sending him sprawling face-first into the dirt.
"Wow, that was amazing!" Peter Parker, perched on a streetlamp, whistled. "Hey, ugly uncle, are you surrendering? No need to bow—we're not big on formalities!"
Ant-Man chimed in, "Maybe he's just terrified of Steve."
Quill joined in, smirking as he aimed his blasters. "Or maybe this guy spends too much time kneeling to his big purple boss."
Corvus Glaive growled, his rage boiling over. The disdain of Earthlings was unbearable, their insults cutting deeper than any blade. He saw these people as primitives, their technology barely reaching the level of a backwater planet. The thought of being mocked by such lowly beings filled him with blind fury.
"You'll regret that," Glaive snarled, launching himself at Steve.
What followed was an intense clash of skill and tenacity. Glaive had the upper hand in raw strength, his weapon cutting through steel like butter. Yet, no matter how many times he attacked, Steve's shield was always there, deflecting his blows with uncanny precision.
Glaive's frustration grew with each exchange. This is impossible! he thought. Steve's attacks lacked the force to deal significant damage, but his defense was impenetrable. Every time Glaive thought he'd found an opening, the shield would intercept him, defying the laws of physics.
For the first time, Corvus Glaive felt the sting of futility. The Earthling's resilience was maddening, his movements precise and calculated. Glaive realized he wasn't just fighting a man—he was fighting a symbol.
"Boom!"
Their weapons clashed one final time, and the two combatants separated, panting from exertion. Steve adjusted his stance, a grin spreading across his face.
"I can do this all day," he said confidently.