The infinite void of reality stretched for as far as anyone could reasonably see. The nexus with it's swirling universes swirled like dancers following an unknown song. In one corner, a flash of light emanated, piercing and where once a universe was, there was nothing but black. A brilliant golden spot of light left that place and began to move onto the next.

Philip Coulson yawned and glanced at his watch. It was two in the morning and he still had not reached at least half of the artifacts to catalog. There were so many since the Battle of New York that SHIELD was barely able to acquire them before someone organization got their hands on it.

'God, I wish I was back in Tahiti,' he thought to himself as he pulled out another black shock proof case and flicked the latches. He pulled it open and look down at the twisted orange crystal. Using his hand device to scan the QR code, Coulson rubbed his eyes and read it outloud to himself.

"One unknown crystalline item that emitted unknown radiation when first discovered. Dormant since. New York, 2013."

Reaching in, he pulled it out and looked at it. It was cloudy and dull, nothing special about it. He set it on the desk and pushed his chair back. The door to his office swung open and pile of boxes came in. Peering around, Phil broke into a smile.

"Over there, Clint."

"No problem," Clint Barton responded piling it up and running a hand through his short cut hair. "This is the last of it. You sure you're alright with all of this? I know your team just got put together. I can stay a few more days in town if you want."

"No, no. You've already done enough. I can't have an Avenger doing paperwork," Coulson joked going over to his coffee pot and pouring another cup. He had lost count how many he had a long time ago.

Hawkeye shrugged and plopped down on one of the only seats that wasn't covered. "Want to grab something to eat?"

Before Coulson could answer, he felt it before his brain registered it. There was a hum, something soft but deep coming from his desk. Coulson looked at Barton and he too had begun to stand.

"You hear that?"

"Yeah."

On his desk, that dull crystal had taken on a sheen and glowing from the inside. As they slowly approached, Phil with his hand on his gun, it straightened up on to its point and then floated into the air.

"Well, that's not good," Clint said looking around for a weapon.

"I mean you now harm," a masculine voice emanated from the crystal. "I am only a key to the safety of all worlds."

"No," Phil said. "THAT is not good."

The crystal floated there unmoving. Strange symbols had started projecting around it and they lazily circled it. It honestly reminded Phil of an atom from science class. Clint had gone to grab the people Agent Coulson had requested and it had not done anything since.

Melinda May came in first her weapon already drawn but aimed at the floor. Fitz and Simmons slowly came in with a mixture of concern and interest. It was hard to miss the glowing orange crystal above his desk. The last was Clint and his friend Romanov. The red hair was hard to miss. Phil noted that Hawkeye had gotten his weapons.

"Do you feel more comfortable?" the entity thrummed.

"What do you mean?" Phil asked trying to remain neutral in his tone.

"Your stress is easily detectable and it has dropped since the arrival of these other creatures. As I have said, I mean you no harm."

"Who are you?" Fitz asked holding up one of his scanners to get a reading.

"I am called Luminary. A key to both other worlds and the key to your salvation."

"Salvation? From what?"

"A being of immense power is closing in on your reality. He wishes to destroy everything as you are an affront to him."

Phil blinked and shot a glance at Melinda who cooley looked back.

"Reality?" Simmons started up. "What do you mean Reality?"

"I'm more interested in the threat," Natasha said.

"The threat is from a being called Sovereign. He is from the void between realities. My scan shows that you do have a basic knowledge of alternate realities."

"Yes," Fitz said with a hint of excitement in his voice. "The theory that there are other realities that exist based on choices that you make."

"That is a primitive take on it but you are correct," Luminary said and Phil saw the irritation on Fitz's face.

"There are also realities outside of your own that have evolved on their own paths. All of these make up a conglomerate called the reality nexus."

"Why is this Sovereign attacking?" Melinda asked.

"I do not know. My creators did not burden me with much knowledge for fear I would be detected by Sovereign. I was to lie asleep until his energy was detected. I was flung into the reality nexus as a warning."

"You said you are a key?"

"I am. To save your world and countless others, you must speak with the Sages. They will guide you into the knowledge of how to stop the destroyer of worlds."

Phil looked to his team. "Breakroom. Now."