Location: Somewhere outside Oslo, Norway
Time: 15 Days Before the Arrival
A portal shimmered open just beyond a modest hillside home.
The energy was calm, smooth — practiced.
Wong stepped out in full Kamar-Taj robes, staff on his back, shoulders squared with quiet confidence.
He was not a man who enjoyed diplomacy.
He was, however, a man who honored duty.
He took one breath of cold Scandinavian air and walked toward the cottage.
The Living Miracles
The door opened before he knocked.
Wanda Maximoff stared at him with narrowed eyes and a slight, glowing flicker of red in her irises.
Behind her, Pietro Maximoff, very much alive, leaned against the doorway with a smirk. "Didn't know the monks made house calls."
And beyond them both stood Vision, calm as ever, robes draped neatly over his android form.
Wong inclined his head. "I come in peace. And with urgency."
Pietro laughed. "That's what most people say before things explode."
Wanda raised a hand. "Pietro."
He raised his arms in surrender and stepped back.
Wanda's expression softened. "Come in, Master Wong."
A Brief History of Kamar-Taj
They sat around a small table. Vision offered tea, which Wong accepted.
"My name is Wong," he began. "Master of the Mystic Arts, protector of the New York Sanctum, and senior librarian of Kamar-Taj."
Pietro whispered to Wanda, "He's a magic nerd."
Wanda elbowed him.
Wong, unfazed, continued:
"We are an ancient order devoted to protecting this reality from threats both mystical and cosmic. Until recently, we operated from the shadows."
Vision tilted his head. "But now you're stepping into the light."
"Yes," Wong said. "Because we no longer have the luxury of isolation. The multiverse itself has been shaken. And a threat has returned… one that will not care how hidden you are."
Enter: Thanos
Wanda leaned in slightly. "What kind of threat?"
Wong's face was grave. "His name is Thanos. A being of overwhelming strength, intellect, and ambition. He seeks to collect all six Infinity Stones — one of which resides in Vision's forehead."
All three fell silent.
Vision blinked once. "Then he will come for me."
"Yes," Wong confirmed. "And soon."
Pietro's speed vanishing in seriousness, finally asked, "Why us? Why now?"
Wong turned to him. "Because you're alive, Pietro. In another timeline, you died during the battle of Sokovia."
Pietro frowned. Wanda looked at him sharply.
Wong added, "Mark — our brother in the mystic arts — made a choice. He saved you. That altered many paths."
"So…" Pietro folded his arms. "I'm alive thanks to some wizard?"
Wong shook his head. "You're alive because he believed you had more to offer the world."
Wanda looked down. Then whispered, "That must've changed everything."
"It did," Wong said. "And now we must face the consequences together."
A Call to Prepare
Wong stood, his posture steady.
"We are assembling a defense. The Sanctums, the Avengers, Wakanda, even off-world allies. We are not asking you to fight—yet. But we need you aware. Alert."
Vision nodded. "I will come to the Sanctum for additional safeguards. The Mind Stone… cannot fall into the wrong hands."
Wanda looked at Wong. "And us?"
Wong looked at her with unexpected warmth.
"Kamar-Taj welcomes those who want to learn. If you seek understanding, peace, or purpose… we can offer all three."
The Spark of Resolve
Pietro scoffed. "Never thought I'd get invited to wizard school."
Wanda smiled faintly. "We'll be ready. Whatever comes."
Wong nodded. "Then I've done my job."
He turned, spun his hand, and opened a shimmering orange portal.
Before stepping through, he looked over his shoulder. "Mark will be glad you're still alive. He risked much to ensure it."
Pietro, for once, looked thoughtful.
End Scene: Across the Veil
As the portal closed behind Wong, far above Earth, a ring-shaped ship loomed closer.
And deep in the void of space, Thanos held the gauntlet in his hand.
Only two stones remained.
And Earth would not give them up without a war.