The Ancient One said she had seen the future: New York invaded by a Chitauri army and reduced to ruins.
"Chitauri?" Ryan paused at the familiar-sounding name.
Seeing Ryan's reaction, The Ancient One explained, "The Chitauri are outsiders who have their eyes on Blue Planet. They intend to use the Cosmic Cube to open a Portal to another dimension and invade through it."
"In that case, what do we Sorcerers need to do?"
"Nothing, Ryan. You only need to stay at the New York Sanctum."
They only had to wait, and the crisis would pass. The Ancient One told Ryan about the future she had seen.
In that future, a team called the Avengers rose to meet the crisis and drove off the invading Chitauri one by one.
Ryan finally remembered the plot. Wasn't The Ancient One describing the first Avengers movie?
For all the noise surrounding the Chitauri invasion, it ended before they could even take New York.
So The Ancient One's suggestion that he guard the New York Sanctum was practically an invitation to take a vacation.
That was what Ryan thought, but The Ancient One's smile vanished. Her expression turned grave. "I don't know why, but the future may change. Once you reach New York, use your judgment."
"Okay."
"Remember, our duty is to protect Blue Planet."
The Ancient One went over the Chitauri invasion with Ryan in greater detail, then sent him on his way.
Travel was simple for a Sorcerer. Ryan slipped on his Sling Ring and circled his fingers, opening a golden Portal.
He waved and stepped through.
The other end of the Portal opened onto a New York street. Ryan emerged still wearing his Kamar-Taj robes.
They looked completely out of place amid the bustle of New York.
The Portal slowly closed behind