Ancient One

Biodata

Appearance

The Ancient One is bald; Peter Parker’s curiosity about whether she uses shampoo becomes a running joke 20 50.

• Alternate counterparts — In the universe visited by Lin Yi’s group, Peter encounters two Ancient Ones: one bald and one with hair 31.

History

During the 2012 Chitauri invasion, the Ancient One lends Banner the Time Stone. She expects Steve Rogers to return it alone, but Lin Yi and Doctor Strange arrive instead with news of a future crisis involving a mutated Thanos and spreading black-and-purple markings. She takes the returned Stone to investigate 19.

Her examination reveals that events are in chaos, but she declines to give the travelers a direct answer. Instead, she sends Lin Yi to Cagliostro’s Lost Library to seek information about the threat and the coordinates of a universe known to have survived it. She bars Strange from accompanying him, warning that the library presents a dangerous possible future for him 20 21.

The Ancient One tells Lin Yi that she can no longer see any future, or his past and future. She says versions of herself across parallel universes believe he may be crucial to the outcome. After he returns from the library with knowledge of the Cosmic Virus, she helps send him, Strange, and Peter to the surviving universe. The transfer severely weakens her; she reveals only as they depart that her circle provides no return trip 22 24 26.

While the three investigate that universe, they encounter its two Ancient Ones. Strange learns that their erratic behavior is an act for observers watching Blue Star. Both later rescue him and Peter from a powerful being in the Dark Dimension. One provides Strange with a Jump Compass that enables the group to travel home 31 34 38 47.

Back at the 2012 Sanctum, the original Ancient One receives the returning travelers and Morgan Stark. She cautions that the Cosmic Virus isolation technology they obtained offers only temporary protection 50.

Abilities & Skills

Time Stone and foresight

• Uses the Time Stone to examine timelines and investigate the markings, though the crisis disrupts her ability to see the future 19 20 22.
• Detects another distortion in the timeline while awaiting Lin Yi’s group’s return 50.

Magic and dimensional travel

• Creates a protective shield over the Sanctum rooftop before hearing Strange’s account 19.
• Teleports Lin Yi into the Lost Library, which requires a special method to enter 22 25.
• Activates an inter-universal circle to send Lin Yi, Strange, and Peter to the surviving universe. Concealing the transfer from its watchers requires precious Kamar-Taj reserves and heavy use of Dark Dimension power 25 26.

Equipment & Items

• Time Stone — Borrowed by Banner, returned for her investigation, and later lent to Lin Yi to aid his reading in the Lost Library 19 21.
• Enchanted coin — Bears a Mental Acceleration Spell; when activated, it brings Lin Yi books, turns their pages, and helps him read and retain information 21.

Relationships

• Doctor Strange — Her successor and former disciple. She refuses to let him enter the Lost Library for his safety and challenges his fear that Lin Yi could become a threat 20 21 23.
• Lin Yi — Sends him to seek knowledge she cannot safely put to use herself, while repeatedly warning him against reckless use of forbidden magic 21 22 25.
• Peter Parker — Treats him kindly despite his blunt questions; later accepts the eight-in-one shampoo he gives her 21 50.
• Alternate Ancient Ones — Counterparts in the surviving universe who conceal what they know from outside observers and help Strange and Peter 31 34 38.

Notable Quotes

“Your existence may prove crucial to how everything ends.” 22

“Whatever you read in that library about the Dark Dimension, forbidden magic, or the laws of the universe, keep it in your memory. Unless you have absolutely no choice, never try to put it into practice!” 21