Stephen Strange and Ancient One continued to cooperate with S.H.I.E.L.D., except this time, it was a personal partnership with S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers. It no longer involved Kamar-Taj as a whole.
"The president is willing to worry about you and trust you. I am willing to trust you as well," Nick Fury said, still speaking with suspicion and caution.
"Even if you return to Kamar-Taj, I imagine you will have nowhere to stay afterward. For closer cooperation, I propose that S.H.I.E.L.D. arrange accommodations for you, making it easier for us to work together at any time. However, because mages are too mysterious, and because we know little about the Dark Energy you have absorbed, Mage Ancient One, the residence will be somewhat secluded. I hope you will not mind."
Nick Fury took the opportunity to test the balance of initiative, seeking the upper hand in his cooperation with Ancient One and Stephen Strange. He was practically treating them as high-level hired muscle, testing how willing they were to cooperate and just how far they could be used.
He-El had no objection to Nick Fury's approach.
Nick Fury had always protected Earth from his own position, and He-El had given him substantial support. Fury's methods and stance benefited He-El.
Of all the useful tools at He-El's disposal, Nick Fury was the most useful.
Keeping Ancient One at S.H.I.E.L.D. and knowing her movements was better than letting her roam the world and vanish without a trace.
When necessary, they could even have Dormammu confirm Ancient One's location.
"Then thank you, Director Fury," Ancient One said with an unconcerned smile, looking nothing like a leader who had just been abandoned by Kamar-Taj.
Ancient One was almost excessively easygoing, agreeing directly to Nick Fury's arrangements.
Stephen Strange had no objections either. He had originally