Something opened in her mind as she sat with her legs crossed and flashed above the ground. Genesis tilted her head in curiosity and ventured her mind onward.

Come. Friend of Stephen Strange.

Genesis heard the woman's voice and hesitated. Now wasn't exactly the time to trust this woman or not. Either way, it would get her out of this dimension. She tilted her head up and let her control down. In a flash, she flew up for several minutes. Then, she landed on her back after flipping through the air twice. Grunting, she was thankful her landing wasn't too painful.

Blinking her eyes open, Genesis noticed a blue sky and could heard numerous screams. Groaning, she sat up to find a woman staring at her. They were on a rooftop, it seemed. The woman was bald and wore a yellow tunic. Her manner was calm as she approached the young girl.

"Genesis Fuentes. Friend of Stephen Strange," she greeted.

Genesis stood up and mumbled. "More than friends, actually."

The woman smiled, amused. "I know. You're lucky I found you in the dark dimension, but you've found yourself in another world of trouble."

"Sorry, I don't know who you are or...where I am. Thanks for getting me out, though."

"We are years in the past from your time. New York is under attack by the brother of Thor."

Shocked, Genesis replied, "New York? Loki?"

The woman gave a bow of her head. "I am Stephen's mentor."

Her heart jumped as she heard his name again. Genesis tried to contain her excitement as the Ancient One smiled. They both turned when they heard a zap. Genesis grimaced as she saw the Hulk appear and approach a door to the inside of the building.

"Bruce?"

He stopped and turned, in disbelief. "Genesis?"

The woman cut in. "We've just had the floors waxed. I wouldn't go in, if I were you."

"What the...how the hell did you get here?" Bruce asked.

Genesis stared at him, surprised to see him wearing normal clothes and a pair of glasses. He noticed her confusion, but was too occupied with his own to explain anything.

"Look, there's no time to talk, and I have to go," Bruce said as his hand reached for the doorknob.

The ancient one raised an eyebrow at that. "Not a chance."

Bruce turned and cleared his throat. Remaining calm, he said, "Sorry about the bad introduction, I'm looking for Dr. Strange."

The woman side-smiled as she pretended to think. "You're about...five tears too early. Doctor Strange is performing surgery."

She walked to the edge of the roof and pointed across the city. "About 20 blocks that way."

Genesis stared at her finger and felt her chest tighten. Bruce stared in disbelief as he approached the two women.

"Why do you need him?" Genesis asked Bruce.

"I need that, actually," Bruce replied as he pointed to the smiley around the Ancient One's neck.

Raising her eyebrows, Genesis hadn't noticed it. The Ancient One shook her head and chuckled. "I'm afraid not."

"I wasn't asking," Hulk replied as he took a step closer.

"You don't want to do this," she warned, not moving and inch.

"No, you're right, I don't. But I don't have the time-"

Her hand thrusted into his chest as the hulk fell backwards, slowly. Bruce's astral body appeared and Genesis gasped. He stared at his body in shock, as the Ancient One smirked.

"Bruce?" Genesis gasped.

"What did you do to me?"

The Ancient One folded her hands behind her back as she turned to Genesis. "He'll be alright. Stephen should have explained astral bodies to you."

"Look, if you know so much, then...you should know about Thanos," Genesis said, "He's already wiped out the universe in..the future. I have to get back there."

Bruce finally managed to speak up and commented, "I need the time stone, and I'm not leaving without it."

The Ancient One turned away from them as she apologized to Bruce. "I cannot give it to you. You'll have to forgive me. As for you, Daughter of Kaecilius, you will find your way back with Bruce. I can do no more for you."

Bruce flew his body to the woman and insisted on getting the stone. "Look, I need this stone to save my timeline and reality. Please!"

"If give up the Time stone to help your reality, I am dooming my own," she explained as Bruce jumped in front of her with his hands held out.

"With all due respect, I'm not sure the science reallt supports that!"

She didn't seem convinced as she created a whisper of gold thread between them. Genesis watched as tiny infinity stones appeared in a hoop around the thread.

"If you were to remove the time stone, our chief weapon, for even a moment, my reality would split and the forces of darkness would rise up. Millions would suffer."

Genesis glanced at Bruce. "And with it gone, Stephen wouldn't further his education in the mystic arts, and probably-"

"Never fulfill his destiny," The Ancient One finished.

Thinking hard, Bruce shook his head. Gently, he took hold of the small green stone and explained, "But what if we came back to put the stone back in its former reality? So, chronologically, it never left."

The Ancient One turned away again, unconvinced. Genesis bit her lip, and said, "It's like it was never gone. It's bound to work!"

"It may," the woman said, "But you're forgetting one important thing: in order to return the stone, you have to survive."

Bruce understood as he nodded in desperation. "We will. I will. I promise!"

"I cannot risk the reality of my world on a promise. It is the duty of the sorcerer supreme to protect the time stone."

He narrowed his eyes and asked, "Then, why the hell did Strange give it away?"

Genesis felt her stomach turn. The Ancient One's face hardened. "What did you say?"

"Strange. He gave the Stone to Thanos in my timeline!"

"Willingly?"

"Yes!"

Genesis tried to cut in. "Bruce, it wasn't-"

"Why?" The Ancient One demanded.

"I don't know, maybe he made a mistake."

Genesis shook her head. "He did it to save me!"

The two of them look at her in confusion. Genesus recalled Thanos holding her tightly and Stephen begging her with his eyes.

"It wasn't even his fault. I had the stone...and he asked me to give it to Thanos so he wouldn't kill me."

The Ancient One put a hand on the girl's shoulder and spoke gently. "Strange was meant to be the best of us."

With her other hand, she flicked the Hulk's still unconscious body back together with Bruce's astral body and he woke. Genesis watched her hands open the Eye around her neck as the stone flew out. She handed it to Bruce, carefully. His large, green hand took it and he gave a slight nod.

"I wish I could've had more time to know you," Genesis said to the Ancient One.

"And I you. Remember, there always more to be learned, and that there is great power within you that Stephen may not always understand. It is your own. Trust it."

Genesis gave her a small hug before leaving with Bruce. "Thanks for saving me."

"Thank you," Bruce said from behind them.

The Ancient One held both of their hands, tightly. "I'm counting on you, Bruce...Genesis. We all are."