London, Durham Church, prayer room.
In a church that had not seen visitors in a long time, a young man in a black top hat stroked a cat. His ethereal eyes seemed capable of seeing through the entire world.
An old television was playing an animated sequence, though it clearly was not a high-definition cartoon produced by an animation studio.
On the television, the earth was collapsing and lava was spreading. People fled in every direction, yet there was nowhere to escape.
At the center of the screen sat a young man in a black top hat, enjoying his dinner. He stood in stark contrast to the world falling apart behind him.
"This planet really does suffer one disaster after another!" the young man said, cradling the black cat.
He seemed to be talking to himself.
But the intelligence in the black cat's eyes made it clear that this was no ordinary cat.
"It certainly does, but don't worry. I can sense that Blue Star isn't in danger of being destroyed this time."
The young man smiled, his expression detached and calm.
Of course it would not be destroyed. At most, the disaster would affect the entire European tectonic plate.
Suddenly, as though sensing something, the black cat's fur shot upright, and the sharp claws hidden in its paw pads sprang out.
Its claws were clearly much longer than those of most cats.
Pitch-black light began streaming from its eyes. It was clearly dangerous.
"Bast, did something happen?"
Ever since losing the Eye of Agamotto, his original self had essentially stopped probing time.
When she attempted to break free of fate, she could only let events take their course with a specific purpose in mind. She could not act recklessly.
According to the original course of fate.
Iron Man, Captain