Strange's wedding went off as planned.
Just like Ronan said, this universe's Stephen Strange took a totally different path.
Maybe he'd never glimpse the flip side of the world, but he kept his hands.
And with those hands, he scooped up his beloved Christine.
The guest list at the wedding wasn't huge—pretty standard for most American weddings.
Unless you're loaded, regular folks keep it simple.
Not a ton of friends and family.
Mostly just relatives and a handful of close pals.
Ronan and Strange weren't exactly BFFs, but last time, when Strange patched him up, Ronan tossed out a casual, "I'll hit your wedding."
Didn't expect Strange to actually take it to heart.
So, Ronan was cool with showing up—good chance to network.
Especially with one of America's top surgeons.
The ceremony was straightforward: the bride walked down with her dad, met the groom, and they swapped vows of love.
Sure, when the spark fades or the love's gone, those vows are just part of the gig.
When the two locked lips, Ronan clapped along with the crowd.
"You showing up today, huh?"
Mid-clap, Ronan glanced beside him.
It was none other than Tony Stark.
His arrival a bit ago had stirred some buzz—nabbed plenty of stares too.
If this weren't Strange's wedding, folks would've swarmed Tony for selfies.
"I know him pretty well—not as tight as me and you, though."
"But he's fixed me up a few times."
Tony shrugged, grinning as he clapped for the newlyweds.
As Iron Man, sure, he had the suit's armor, but that didn't mean Tony never got banged up.
He and Ronan were on the same page.
A top-tier surgeon like Strange? Rare find. Money doesn't always guarantee you a spot in their OR.
What's that tell you?
If your skills hit "irreplaceable," you can strut all you want—people still grin and bear it.
"Fair, but can you tone it down a bit?"
"You're dressed flashier than the groom."
Ronan smirked, eyeing Tony's getup.
Honestly, it was dark-toned, but on Tony? Screamed extra somehow.
"Tch, you're one to talk."
Tony shot Ronan a look—barely held back a middle finger.
Wedding vibes were the only thing stopping him from a full-on Stark greeting.
Ronan didn't bite back—Strange and Christine were already hugging family.
For the opener, Christine danced with her dad, Strange with his mom.
Per Tony, his wedding'd probably go the same.
Dancing, though? He wasn't thrilled about it.
"Thanks for coming out."
Strange strolled up to Ronan and Tony.
You could tell—he was pumped.
"Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together."
Ronan smiled at the glowing couple.
If 616 Strange caught this, would he feel a pang of what-could've-been?
This was practically an alternate story—another ending.
"Stick around for the party after."
"I've got friends who'd love to meet you guys."
Christine chimed in.
She wanted to know her husband's crew.
Plus, her girlfriends nearby were whispering, sneaking glances this way.
That invite? Probably not just friendly.
Ronan didn't mind, though—his age alone would scare off the girls.
Tony, though…
Ronan wouldn't mind seeing him squirm.
Right as he was about to say yes, a familiar vibe hit him—something landing on Earth.
From the Time Variance Authority.
"Sorry, got something later—might have to skip the party."
"Tony, how about you cover for me?"
Ronan lobbed the ball to Tony's court.
A rich, good-looking guy like him? Way more of a chick magnet.
"Uh, I'm booked too."
"Dinner with Pepper tonight—she's my girlfriend."
That last bit was for Strange and Christine's benefit.
They nodded, all we get it.
"No worries, we'll catch up another time."
Strange tossed out a polite line and moved to the next guest.
Ronan shot them a look, holding back from bolting right then.
Ditching now would be rude as hell.
As for the TVA folks, they couldn't mess with the timeline, so Ronan wasn't sweating them.
What bugged him more was something else.
The TVA hitting this timeline—did something go sideways here?
Finally, Strange and Christine's wedding wrapped up smooth.
After goodbyes, Ronan was ready to dip somewhere quiet and track down the TVA crew.
But before he could, Tony stopped him.
"That vibranium you asked about? Wakanda's on board."
"Just, their king wants to meet you."
Tony brought up the vibranium gig.
Ronan had tapped him earlier to score some for tinkering.
Didn't expect Wakanda to actually say yes.
"They wanna meet me for what?"
"You didn't spill something about me, did you?"
Ronan squinted at Tony, suspicious.
Tony smirked, guilt all over his face.
"Just a little—tiny bit, swear."
"What's with that look?"
"You know me—I'm not that guy."
Tony stared back, practically ready to thump his chest and swear on it.
Ronan smirked right back—zero faith in his BS.
Tony's brain was next-level, but his lying game? Nowhere near as sharp.
That guilty mug said it all.
"Fine, fine—call me later."
"Lucky me, having a pal like you."
Ronan rolled his eyes, popped a sling ring portal, and vanished.
Tony's eyes lit up.
He couldn't wait to see what Ronan cooked up with that vibranium.
—
Northern Canada.
A snowy wasteland.
Unlike New York's spring bloom, this place was still locked in winter's grip.
TVA agents B-15 and Mobius stood in the endless snow, fresh off wiping a hunter's memory.
Watching the guy's dazed look, Mobius nodded.
"Job's done. Let's roll."
But right then, a golden flash flared up in front of them.
B-15 instinctively drew her weapon, aiming at the glow.
A circular portal opened, and Ronan stepped out.
"This damn weather."
He glanced at the snowy expanse, grumbling.
One reason he didn't crash at Kamar-Taj full-time? The constant snow.
And only snow.
Sure, he liked a flurry, but 24/7, year-round? Hard pass.
"Who's this?"
B-15 eyed Ronan warily, tossing the question to Mobius.
By their logic, no one should be here.
They'd scoped the future—this spot was empty except for that hunter.
Before Mobius could answer, Ronan cut in.
"You waltz into a timeline like it's nothing and don't even know who I am?"
"Guess you never planned on asking permission."
He glanced at a familiar B-15, flashing a grin.
Now he'd swapped fits—full Kamar-Taj sorcerer gear, black cloak, Eye of Agamotto front and center.
"You can see us!?"
B-15 looked floored.
Here's the deal: TVA agents might drop into a timeline, but aside from timeline screw-ups, regular folks can't clock them.
So when B-15 realized Ronan could, she was shook.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Time Variance Authority folks, right?"
Ronan grinned at them, his cryptic vibe rattling them both.
The TVA's name? Super hush-hush across timelines.
Only rogue variants or insiders knew it.
Ronan didn't look like an insider.
B-15 flicked her eyes to Mobius.
Do something.
Mobius stared Ronan down, hand signaling B-15.
Pull back for now.
He was on edge—thinking hard.
A guy who knows who they are, maybe even waiting for them? Bad news.
The TVA was barely back on its feet—poking a hornet like this wasn't smart.
Best move: dip, ID the guy, then plan.
If he's a variant, they'd deal later.
B-15 didn't argue—pulled out her time device and hit a button.
A portal popped open behind them.
"Leaving already?"
"Not gonna stick around?"
Ronan caught their drift.
They edged back, eyes locked on him.
Once they hit that portal, they'd be golden.
Seeing them move, Ronan chuckled.
"Ever heard this one?"
He formed a seal with his hands.
"Play with time, and time plays you."
With that, he spread his arms, the Eye of Agamotto spinning open.
The Time Stone's glow bloomed slow and steady.
Under B-15 and Mobius's stunned stares, their movements rewound—frame-by-frame, like a slo-mo reel.
Their minds were sharp, but their bodies? Puppets on strings.
Step by step, inch by inch, they slid back to square one.
Mobius's left hand, tucked behind, still flashed that retreat signal.
Like it was all a dream!
"The Time Stone?"
"No—impossible!"
"The Time Stone shouldn't work on us!"
Mobius, vet of countless variant hunts, clocked the gem on Ronan's chest instantly.
To them, Infinity Stones weren't rare—more like junk tossed in office drawers.
But now, the Time Stone was affecting them?
That broke every rule they knew!
"Maybe mine's a little special?"
Ronan shrugged, and his energy whips lashed out at them.
B-15 didn't wait for Mobius—her weapon blazed, unloading on Ronan.
Every bullet, though, "coincidentally" missed—grazing past him.
She watched, wide-eyed, as shots aimed dead-center arced wildly around him, plowing into the snow behind.
She'd never seen anything like it.
With the whips closing in, Mobius didn't flinch—drew his gear.
Instantly, time around the whips crawled, letting him dodge and rush Ronan.
That's the TVA's ace: tweaking time around a variant's body!
As Mobius hit Ronan's flank, Ronan turned, flashing him a megawatt grin.
"You didn't think…"
"…this trick works on me too, did you?"
Before Mobius could blink, the whips—slowed to a crawl—snapped tight around him.
B-15 got the same VIP treatment.
"Alright."
"Now—let's hear what you're after."