The Greedy Frog
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Marvel: Chapter 124
🕑 Added 2023-03-24 10:43:40 +0000 UTCChapter 124: A Job Offer
[[Markus Hanley]]
There were two things that were out of my expectations.
One was the TVA's interference... considering all the other times they slept through important events.
And the second— which was also the most surprising was them wanting to hire me.
"Pardon?"
"As I said. We want you to work for us, even if temporarily."
Now, this was something that I didn't consider even in my wildest dreams. While it was not unheard of, it was still interesting to see the TVA recruiting agents.
And me of all people.
"And may I know what made you choose me?"
"Of course." He said. "You are a person with extraordinary power and you even possess the power to manipulate time… yet you haven't used it. And that makes you a responsible person… which is a trait the TVA values."
So… they chose me because I haven't used my time manipulation ability to mess things up?
That doesn't sound right.
"That's it? Because as far as I believe there are definitely more time manipulators out there who can fit the category perfectly fine."
He nodded and looked around us. When he noticed that we were alone, he stared at me. "How much do you know about the multiverse?"
"Not much."
I answered semi-truthfully. And the thing that annoyed me the most was being unable to read his mind. TVA had multiple jammers that made such abilities useless.
"You have seen that there are timelines in which similar people exist right?" He asked and I nodded. "In most timelines, those beings think and act differently. But after going through a million different timelines, there comes a time when you find an exact replica of a being. And that happens to almost all beings. But surprisingly, there are beings that do not possess such similar copies. We call them anomalies."
So, that's why he summoned me… Infinity did say that I am the only Marcellus that lived past twenty.
"And where do I come in all this?"
"Excellent question!" He exclaimed. "But the answer is pretty simple." He pointed at me. "You are an anomaly."
Putting on a surprised face, I exclaimed. "Wait… what?"
"Surprising but it is true. And thus it makes an interesting choice to choose you." He continued to explain. "According to the rules, anomalies are to be kept under supervision and things normally don't end up well for the anomalies once they are put under supervision."
"Might I ask where you are going with this?"
He smiled. "You are in danger. Anomalies are not only a threat to the TVA but also to most other beings… which means you are a target for them."
"And what exactly are you suggesting here…"
"I am suggesting that you join us." He answered with a serious face. "You would stay safe by working under us and we would be able to keep an eye on you as well. So, it's for the best that you join us."
That was not okay.
"Is that… a threat?" I frowned unintentionally at his implications.
"No." He declined. "It's an offer that benefits both of us."
It benefits him.
Not me.
The moment I join them, I will be bound to the TVA and that will limit my movements significantly.
Something that is unacceptable for me.
"Can I get some time to think about it?"
He shook his head. "Unfortunately no. In TVA every second is important and we cannot afford to waste it."
Great… Just great.
But I know that they will not take no for an answer.
So, what can I do?
Make the best out of it obviously.
"Before I join, I have a question."
"Go on."
Taking a deep breath, I asked. "What exactly are the restrictions that I have to keep in mind while using my powers."
It barely took him a second to answer. "You are not allowed to mess with different timelines using your powers. While you have complete freedom to do as you please in your timeline, meddling with other timelines is forbidden… unless you are on a mission."
Wait…
"And what exactly do you mean by 'When I am on a Mission?'"
He laughed. "When you are on missions you need to interfere with some events in those timelines, so in a way you are messing with them."
Wait wait wait… This might not be as bad as I thought.
"And what did you mean by— 'Freedom in my timeline?'"
"Pretty simple actually." He shrugged. "No matter what you do in your timeline, it's already predestined. While a single action can cause an entirely new branch to form… but in reality that is also predestined. No matter what you do, a new branch opens up. And that branch is a part of destiny. That's why we only interfere when people deviate and enter another timeline… As there is no need for us to mess with their existing timelines."
This is brilliant!
Risky but brilliant!
"So, what is your answer?" He asked.
"I… accept."
Now this made the man really happy.
"Excellent!" He exclaimed. "Excellent choice, Mr. Hanley."
He is better than I expected. He is known for being strict and iron faced but he is making quite the happy expression.
Which means that he is a good actor.
"So, what is my mission?"
"Your first mission would be to stop a certain meddlesome time traveller." He frowned.
"And does his time traveller have a name?"
He looked at me and nodded. "Yes. His name is… Kang."
Suddenly everything about this situation started to make sense. From him choosing me to him acting his best to make me agree.
Kang…
He was always ten steps ahead of the TVA and to him, the TVA was nothing more than a bunch of foolish people trying to annoy him.
The twisters and weavers never meddled with such issues and hence the TVA was left with no choice other than to hire people.
And this time it happened to be me.
"Can I get some information about this Kang guy?"
"Of course."
I was going to stop Kang even if Mobius didn't ask but since he is giving me a chance to enter other timelines, I would gladly take it.
"Kang the Conqueror is a brilliant innovator who hails from the 31st century. He developed countless time-related devices and even managed to create an intergalactic army. And now… using his powers and army, he conquers planets through different timelines."
Yeah, that's the basic story of Nathaniel Richards, the future descendent of Reed Richards from a different timeline.
"And you expect me to… Stop an intergalactic army?" I asked, acting dumbfounded.
"Do not worry, we will provide you with enough resources to face his army. And you are free to gather your own army if you desire. But be warned that you can only take beings from your own timeline." He explained.
"Fair, I guess."
It was way more than I expected and I was not going to ruin this chance.
"What about my time-related abilities? Any restrictions on them?" I asked and he rubbed his chin.
"The same as the rest. You are free to use it in your timeline but if you want to use it in other timelines, it has to be only during missions and with the permission of the TVA." He said. "Other than that, you are not restricted by anything."
Now, I had to ask the most important thing.
"What about me being an anomaly? Doesn't it change some of the rules that you normally have for your hired employees?"
He smiled at my question. "It is the first time we are employing an anomaly. So, this is pretty much a test for the future. If you succeed, we might start hiring more such anomalies. We will still be keeping an eye on you but it will be mostly for satisfying the conditions of the upper management."
I don't think that it was smart of him to reveal his secrets, but he is confident enough that it shouldn't make any difference.
Good for me.
"Everything considered, I am not gaining much from this."
"Being greedy is not a good thing. Being alive should be a blessing." He smiled.
He wasn't completely wrong.
"If I just wanted to be happy with staying alive, I would have kept myself hidden from all the troubles. But unfortunately for me… just being alive is not enough." I smiled at him. "Life needs entertainment and a life that is not entertaining is not worth living."
"Fair enough. If you succeed, you will be given access to a rare element of your choice from one of the timelines that are similar to your own." He looked at his pocket watch. "And as long as you don't go out of your way to cause trouble for us, you are free to use that element as you wish."
Was there any element that I wanted from an alternate timeline? I don't think so…
"That should suffice."
He nodded at my answer. "Now, I will give you a little tour of the related TVA offices, after which you will be sent back. But in a few months, you will be summoned back when Kang makes his move."
"Fine by me."
I didn't like the TVA but the deal was way too good to not take.
"Very well, follow me."
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