Before Ahsoka could fully process what had just happened, a thunderous crash echoed across Mortis. The sound reverberated through the air like a shockwave, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
A figure descended from the sky and landed heavily nearby. Ahsoka's gaze fixed on him, her brow furrowing in confusion. His face was unfamiliar, yet something about him struck a chord of recognition. Where had she seen features like that before?
"Did you catch him?" Vision's voice cut through her confusion.
"No," the newcomer replied, frustration evident in his tone. Though his voice wasn't particularly loud, it carried a quality like distant thunder—deep and resonant. "The Son has already escaped."
Ahsoka stared at the man, blinking as if to clear her vision. When she opened her eyes again, she took in the details—his distinctive armor, his long hair, the striking red cape draped across his shoulders, and the powerful hammer gripped in his hand.
Her eyes widened with sudden recognition. Past images surfaced in her memory—photos and files from the Avengers database, team members she'd never met in person. Now one stood before her in the flesh.
"Wait... is that...?" She turned to Spider-Man questioningly, looking between him and the other Avengers.
Spider-Man nodded, confirming her guess. "Yep. That's him."
Ahsoka swayed slightly on unsteady legs, but her gaze remained locked on the God of Thunder. "But... how did you get here?"
"We're just as confused as you are," T'Challa answered, shaking his head slightly.
Thor had overheard part of their conversation as he approached. "Vision?" He looked at the synthetic being with obvious surprise. "What brings you here? Aren't you supposed to be on Earth?"
"Special circumstances brought us to this remote corner of the universe," Vision replied, his tone measured. "Circumstances beyond our control."
Thor nodded slowly, his gaze sweeping over the two Avengers he didn't recognize. "And who are these two? I know the Black Panther of Wakanda by reputation, but you, young man—" He fixed his attention on Spider-Man. "I have not had the pleasure of meeting you before."
For a moment, the young hero from Queens forgot the intensity of the past few minutes. His words tumbled out in a nervous rush, excitement evident even through his mask. Standing this close to one of the founding Avengers left him starstruck and slightly overwhelmed.
"Oh, I'm P-Parker, Pete... I mean, uh, Spider-Parker—no, wait—" Spider-Man stammered, his nervousness mixing with barely contained excitement at meeting his idol.
Vision interjected smoothly, "This is Peter Parker, also known as Spider-Man. He and Prince T'Challa are both recent additions to the Avengers."
Thor's eyebrows rose in pleasant surprise. "Indeed? It seems I have been away from Earth far too long."
T'Challa inclined his head respectfully. "I am honored to be known to you, Thor Odinson."
Thor responded with his characteristic hearty laugh. "Whether I am present or not, it seems our ranks continue to grow. This is welcome news indeed. I greet you both as brothers-in-arms."
A pointed cough broke through the moment of camaraderie. The four Avengers turned to see Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi regarding them with patient expectation.
"As heartening as this reunion—and first meeting—may be, we do have more pressing matters to address," Obi-Wan observed calmly.
Spider-Man tapped the side of his head. "Oh, right. Yeah, the whole 'evil dark side god on the loose' situation. We should probably focus on that."
Ahsoka rolled her eyes while Anakin snorted, though both reactions held traces of lingering tension. The Daughter, though not yet fully recovered, had regained her balance and stood with quiet dignity beside her father.
Everyone's attention followed the Father's gaze toward an ancient tree in the courtyard of the monastery. The tree was withering before their eyes, white particles scattering like ash in a wind that seemed to blow from nowhere and everywhere at once.
The Force-sensitives, Jedi, and Avengers alike all felt it—a sudden shift in the very fabric of reality around them. An uncomfortable sensation that settled in their bones like a chill.
"What's happening?" Anakin asked, his voice tight with concern and confusion.
"When the balance of this world breaks, it affects everything in your galaxy as well," the Father explained gravely.
His words disturbed everyone present to varying degrees.
"As my son escaped and descended further into the Dark Side, the Sith have gained strength in equal measure," the Father continued, his voice heavy with the weight of cosmic consequence. "The breaking of balance here ripples outward, touching every life in your galaxy."
Ahsoka's gaze shifted to the Daughter. "What about her? How is she now?"
The Daughter knelt before the dying tree, her head bowed and hands clasped as if in meditation or prayer. After a moment, she slowly raised her head and gave Ahsoka a weak but genuine smile. Despite her diminished state, her eyes held firm conviction.
"Though the Light has weakened, it will not die as long as we continue to resist the darkness," the Daughter said. Her voice had lost its former resonance but gained something else—a quiet certainty that needed no amplification.
Obi-Wan stepped forward, curiosity evident despite the gravity of their situation. "What exactly did you do? How did you bring Ahsoka back?"
"You mentioned a transfer of life energy," Vision added, seeking clarification.
The Daughter moved forward, her steps measured and deliberate despite her obvious exhaustion. "The corruption my brother planted within Ahsoka had penetrated deep—it had nearly claimed her soul entirely." She reached out and gently touched Ahsoka's cheek, the gesture both tender and significant.
"But I could not allow such darkness to claim her," the Daughter continued. "As an embodiment of the Light, I have placed a portion of that true Light within you, child. With this gift, the Dark Side will find it far more difficult to touch you."
The words struck Ahsoka like a physical force. She stood motionless, processing the profound implications.
"However, this gift came at a price," the Father interjected, his voice cold with resignation as he looked at his weakened daughter. "Through my daughter's selfless sacrifice, the balance of the galaxy has been disrupted. My son's power grows unchecked, and at this moment, no one possesses the strength to oppose him."
Spider-Man raised a finger. "Uh, didn't you see the part where Thor literally smashed his hammer into your son's face?" He gestured toward the God of Thunder beside him.
The Father shook his head slowly. "A temporary setback for him, nothing more."
Anakin laughed bitterly and crossed his arms. "Great. So he's practically unstoppable now."
Obi-Wan stepped forward, his bearing diplomatic but determined. "If that is your concern, then we will do everything in our power to stop your son."
"No." The Father's voice cut through with finality. "You must leave. Now." He paused, letting the urgency sink in. "My son will need your ship to escape this realm. You must depart before he finds it. Otherwise..."
"Would you mind just telling us the worst-case scenario instead of being all ominous about it?" Spider-Man interjected. "We get it—if the Son escapes Mortis, things get exponentially worse for the entire galaxy."
Obi-Wan turned to the Father and Daughter. "And what of you two?"
The Father's gaze drifted to his daughter, his expression tender despite the circumstances.
"We must remain here," the Father explained, his voice carrying both determination and resignation. "We must work to restore what balance we can. If we abandon this place entirely, the consequences would be catastrophic beyond measure."
"Okay, we understand," Anakin said, cutting through the explanation with clear impatience. "We can't let any of this get worse than it already is."
After a moment of weighted silence, everyone except the Father and Daughter turned and left the monastery, heading toward their ship.