The reason Linen compiled this series was to remind everyone in the Avengers that an extremely mysterious and powerful individual had set his sights on this universe.
As for who this person was, Linen didn't know.
But anyone capable of deceiving Dark Stephen Strange and making Matt Murdock bow his head was certainly no ordinary figure.
As for what kind of conspiracy this幕后 mastermind would weave in the future, Linen couldn't say for sure—but he could still compile it.
Even if some details were wrong, it didn't matter.
After all, what the Avengers were watching now was a future that took place decades after the mastermind had already "won."
So Linen simply combined the Old Age Series, using it as an introduction to warn the Avengers that such a terrifying enemy existed.
—
Inside the viewing hall.
"So… I still end up dead."
Staring at the screen, Peter Parker looked dispirited.
"I really want to know what happens in the future… and what that war was like."
Hearing the frustration and anxiety in Peter's voice, Steve Rogers patted his shoulder with a serious expression.
At that moment, the video continued.
—
On the screen.
Maddie Parker sat on the steps of a wooden cabin, chatting with a tall, muscular tree-like being.
"I am Groot."
"You're right, Groot. Old people always love talking about the past when they get together."
"I am Groot."
"Haha, Groot, is Uncle Rocket like that too?"
As they talked, Rocket Raccoon, his fur slightly gray and his beard noticeably aged, walked over carrying several bottles of liquor.
"Hey, Maddie, Groot—are you two complaining about me again?"
"I've been on Earth for so many years. Even if you whisper, I can still hear it."
Rocket raised a hand and patted Groot's head, watching him sway happily.
Then he pointed inside the house.
"Thor and Clint are inside."
—
Inside the theater.
"Wait… what?!"
Rocket Raccoon abruptly jumped up from his seat.
"Groot—!"
"Huh?" Natasha looked at him in surprise.
"Rocket, wasn't Groot already dead? I mean… this Groot seems different from the one we knew."
Rocket stared at the screen, his voice trembling slightly.
"Yes. Groot did die."
"He's a Flora Colossus. After he died, I replanted one of his branches."
"I just… didn't expect him to grow back."
His hands shook faintly.
Even though he knew the Groot in the video wasn't the original one—
So what?
At least this "second-generation" Groot was still his partner.
Seeing Rocket's reaction, Natasha gently patted his shoulder.
"Easy. Sit down. The video isn't over yet."
"Yeah… okay."
Rocket took a deep breath, steadied himself, and returned to his seat, his eyes glued to the screen, afraid to miss a single moment involving Groot.
—
On the screen.
Old Rocket carried the liquor into the cabin. Soon after, a young woman holding Stormbreaker stepped outside.
"Hi, Love!"
Seeing her, Maddie smiled and waved.
"Long time no see, Maddie."
Love sat down beside her and smiled.
"I thought you'd stay with Uncle Parker."
"Aunt May thought so too," Maddie replied.
"But my father entrusted me to Uncle Barton."
She glanced back into the cabin, where Thor and Clint Barton were talking about the Avengers.
After a moment of thought, Maddie said quietly,
"Love, if we want to reach New Utopia to support Uncle Rogers and Uncle Parker, we'll have to pass through the Hulk Gang's territory."
"We could detour, but it's too far. I think we should scout the route first."
"Uncle Barton and Uncle Thor are old now. The fighting should be left to us."
Love turned her head, listening to the laughter inside the house. Images of the past—of Thor, Clint, and Rocket—flashed through her mind.
She nodded.
"No problem. The Hulk Gang is just a bunch of trash."
"As long as we don't run into an out-of-control Hulk, clearing a path will be easy."
Then she turned to Groot.
"Coming with us?"
"I am Groot!"
"Then it's settled."
Love lifted Stormbreaker and stood up.
Moments later, an off-road vehicle stopped in front of them.
"Let's go," Love said with a grin.
"We'll open the road first."
—
Inside the wooden house.
After draining a glass of strong liquor, Clint Barton leaned back in his chair and sighed.
"It was Rocket's idea to put the 'Captain' into suspended sleep."
"I didn't expect it to actually work… and for over twenty years."
"What a pity," he added.
"If Linen were still alive, maybe we wouldn't have had to struggle so much."
"Burp… damn right," Thor muttered.
The old god had white hair, a weathered face, and wore a golden eye patch.
"I don't know where Linen and Wanda went."
"The chaos caused by that evil multiversal Stephen Strange nearly destroyed our universe."
"Although Linen killed that Dark Strange, it's obvious he was just a pawn of the mastermind behind the scenes."
Thor clenched his fist.
"And if Tony Stark—after becoming a god—hadn't made so many mistakes…"
"If he hadn't ultimately given up his divine power to restore everything…"
"Then maybe our strength would be far greater now."
—
Inside the theater, the Avengers were stunned.
A corrupted multiversal Stephen Strange?
From the previous video, they already knew that Stephen Strange would eventually become a sorcerer.
At present, however, he was still only a neurosurgeon, yet to experience his turning point.
To avoid interfering with fate, Nick Fury had even ordered S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to withdraw their surveillance on him.
But now—
There was another, darker Stephen Strange from the multiverse?
Did that mean this version of Strange—and the mastermind controlling him—were the true culprits behind Earth's ruined future?
As everyone pondered this grim possibility, only Tony Stark sat frozen in his seat.
"…I become a god?"
Tony muttered under his breath.
The future was getting more terrifying by the second.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can visit my Patreon page:
Patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
There are 10+ advanced chapters available for you to read.
Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Check out my new Naruto fanfic!
[Naruto: I Don't Want Recognition]