Morning light bathed the bustling streets of Kathmandu as Bucky and Celeste made their way through the crowded thoroughfares. The sounds of traffic, conversation, street vendors, and machinery created a constant symphony of urban life around them.
The narrow streets were packed with people, leaving little room to maneuver in some areas.
Bucky had long since abandoned his heavier winter clothing, now wearing a simple black long-sleeved shirt, dark pants, and boots. He kept his gloves on to conceal his metal arm and avoid unwanted attention.
Celeste wore the same practical clothing she'd emerged from the sarcophagus in, minus the armored shoulder guards. Her long dark hair was bound up with a simple white cloth, and her lightsaber hung discreetly at her belt.
"Where the hell is this place supposed to be?" Bucky asked, scanning the surrounding buildings.
"Remember what Odin said, they'll find us. Just be patient."
"Yeah, but any of these buildings could be what we're looking for," Bucky pointed out. "Half of them look ancient enough."
"Ancient?" Celeste asked with amusement.
Bucky rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean."
She smiled and leaned over to give him a quick kiss on the cheek before they continued walking.
Soon they found themselves in a quieter alley with fewer pedestrians.
"Are you sensing anything through the Force?" Bucky asked.
"I think so," Celeste said, closing her eyes and extending her awareness. "There's definitely something, "
"Well, hopefully it's not hostile," Bucky said, his tone sharpening.
Celeste's eyes snapped open to see several figures in elaborate robes materializing around them, their faces hidden by deep hoods.
"Really?" Bucky sighed, sounding almost bored. "We're doing the mysterious ambush thing?"
Celeste tensed, studying the robed figures who had silently surrounded them.
Four in total, positioned at strategic points around the alley.
"You really want to try us?" Bucky raised his gloved hand and deliberately pulled off the glove, revealing gleaming vibranium fingers.
"James Buchanan Barnes," one of them suddenly spoke, his voice calm and measured.
The Winter Soldier froze as the speaker lowered his hood, revealing a dark-skinned man who regarded both of them with obvious interest.
"And a wielder of ancient power from beyond the stars, closer to home than she realizes."
"You seem to know us, but we don't know you," Bucky pointed out cautiously.
"My apologies." The man inclined his head respectfully. "You shouldn't be surprised, Sergeant Barnes. You're well-documented in our files, both for your service... and the unfortunate actions you were forced to take."
"For the record, that last part wasn't voluntary," Bucky said dryly.
The man smiled and nodded. "We're well aware. Hydra's exposure two years ago revealed much about their methods. We make it our business to stay informed about threats to this world."
Celeste and Bucky exchanged glances before looking back at the stranger.
"My name is Karl Mordo," the man said, gesturing for them to follow. "If you're willing, I'll escort you to see the Ancient One immediately."
"The Ancient One?" both Celeste and Bucky said simultaneously.
"Yes," Mordo confirmed, beginning to walk. "The Sorcerer Supreme. The leader of our order."
"What exactly is your order?" Celeste asked, her curiosity growing.
"Protectors of this reality from mystical and interdimensional threats."
"Wait, what?" Bucky said, clearly confused. "So you guys are... official wizards?"
"Sorcerers and Masters of the Mystic Arts, Sergeant Barnes," Mordo corrected with mild amusement.
"Where are your pointy hats and staffs?" the WWII veteran asked. "You've already got the robes down."
"If you're using Gandalf as your reference point..." Mordo said with a slight smile, "I suppose I should take that as a compliment. Though I'm surprised you're familiar with Tolkien's work."
"I read The Hobbit when it first came out in 1937," Bucky replied.
"A wizard is still a wizard, hat or no hat," Mordo conceded.
"Where I come from, my order was considered mystical as well," Celeste added.
"Celeste, you're not helping my case here," Bucky muttered.
His partner gave him a mischievous smile before turning back to Mordo.
"This Ancient One, your leader, are they male or female?"
"She is the master of our order," Mordo explained. "She has stood at the forefront of Earth's defense against arcane threats for centuries, the primary guardian of magic across all dimensions."
"Dimensions?" Bucky asked, clearly confused.
"Other worlds, other realities, parallel universes," Mordo clarified.
"What?" Celeste's eyes widened with recognition.
"What can you tell us about her?" Bucky asked, his interest clearly piqued.
"We'll discuss more once we reach our destination."
"Which is where exactly?" Celeste asked.
"Kamar-Taj."
Mordo raised his hands, and brilliant orange light began to form in the air. His movements were precise and deliberate, creating a large circular portal. The space within the glowing circle showed a completely different location.
"Holy shit," Bucky breathed.
"Tell me," Mordo said with obvious amusement, "could Gandalf do that?"
"Yeah, well," Bucky countered, "his magic was just... less flashy."
Mordo laughed and stepped through the portal. Bucky and Celeste quickly followed.
They emerged into an elegant yet austere hall decorated with intricate designs and symbols carved into columns, walls, and hanging tapestries.
"Welcome to Kamar-Taj," Mordo said, spreading his arms wide.
As they walked through the corridors, Celeste caught sight of an open window. Beyond it lay a breathtaking view of exotic trees and buildings constructed within a mountainous landscape.
The sight reminded her powerfully of the Jedi temples of her youth, peaceful, serene, dedicated to higher learning. For the first time in longer than she could remember, she felt truly at peace.
"This place is..." Celeste lost her words, overwhelmed by the beauty and tranquility.
Mordo looked back with an understanding smile while Bucky squeezed her hand gently.
Eventually, they reached a simple chamber where a lone figure sat reading an ancient scroll, a bald woman of apparent Celtic ancestry, wearing simple robes.
"Master," Mordo said, bowing respectfully. "I've brought them both, as you requested."
The Ancient One looked up from her scroll and snapped her fingers. The parchment rolled itself up and floated to a nearby shelf, filing itself among other scrolls.
"Welcome to you both," she said with genuine warmth. "I hope your journey here wasn't too arduous."
"It was... enlightening, Ancient One," Celeste replied with obvious respect, bowing as she would to a Jedi Master.
Bucky, meanwhile, was unconsciously cataloging every detail about their host, a habit he'd despised ever since Hydra had programmed it into him.
"I have to admit, when I heard 'Ancient One,' I was expecting an elderly Tibetan monk, not someone who looks... Irish? No offense."
"None taken. A common misconception, Sergeant Barnes. The title was passed to me by my predecessor, who was indeed Tibetan," the Ancient One replied with a slight smile. "And you're quite perceptive about my origins."
"The war introduced me to people from all over," Bucky said. "As did my time as the Winter Soldier."
"Of course."
"Just so you know, Odin sent us here," Bucky revealed.
"Ah, yes. I sensed his involvement," the Sorcerer Supreme said, her gaze shifting to Celeste. "I can feel his binding spell on the artifact you carry."
Celeste's hand instinctively moved to the amulet, conflict clear on her face.
"So this place..." Bucky said, feeling slightly awkward, "you teach magic here?"
"In essence, yes," the Ancient One replied, moving to stand before them. "This order was founded on the understanding that there are forces in the universe far beyond conventional comprehension. With that understanding comes the inevitable recognition of greater threats, dangers that could destroy our reality at any moment. Learning of these threats, the Masters of the Mystic Arts dedicated themselves to a simple goal: protecting Earth from mystical and interdimensional dangers."
"I think I follow you," Bucky said, nodding toward Celeste. "If I didn't know her, I'd be completely lost."
"Yes, the Force and the Jedi Order," the Ancient One said knowingly.
"How much do you know about my Order?" Celeste asked.
"Quite a bit, Jedi Shadow Celeste Morn," the Ancient One replied. "There was once a stronger connection between this world and your distant galaxy. That link has been severed by time and space, but it still exists, waiting to be rediscovered."
"So... is there a way for me to return to my galaxy?" Celeste asked, uncertainty creeping into her voice.
Bucky looked at her with conflicted emotions, but remained silent.
"That... will depend on you," the Ancient One said. "But first..."
She raised her hands, and orange magical runes appeared in the air before her. The light intensified and focused, then settled upon the Muur Amulet.
A moment later, the Sith artifact loosened from Celeste's neck and fell toward the ground. Before it could touch the floor, a magical circle appeared beneath it, containing the cursed object.
"We will secure this abomination elsewhere until we can find a way to destroy it permanently," the Ancient One said, making the contained artifact vanish with a gesture.
Celeste gasped, her hands flying to her bare throat, tears beginning to stream down her face.
"You... you actually, "
"Your burden has been lifted, Celeste," the Ancient One said with a gentle smile.
Tears of joy and relief poured down her face as she fell to her knees, feeling as though an immense weight had been lifted from her very soul. Moments later, she felt Bucky's comforting arms around her. She threw her arms around him instinctively, burying her face against his neck as she wept.
"It's gone," she whispered in disbelief. "It's finally gone. I can't feel him anymore."
"Told you we'd figure it out," Bucky said softly.
"I love you," Celeste said, pulling back to kiss him passionately. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, Celeste," Bucky replied with a gentle smile.
She laughed through her tears and turned to face the Ancient One.
"Your gratitude, while appreciated, is unnecessary," the Ancient One said. "However, if you feel indebted, perhaps you would consider learning more about our order. In time, we may be able to help both of you further."
Celeste gave Bucky a meaningful look, and the Winter Soldier realized what she might be suggesting.
"Both of us?" Bucky asked.
"Celeste still carries trauma from her experiences and needs time to heal," the Ancient One explained. "But you also have issues that require attention, programming that still affects your mind."
That gave him pause.
"Come," Mordo interjected. "I'll show you both to your quarters."
Bucky helped Celeste to her feet and followed Mordo toward what would be their accommodations during their stay at Kamar-Taj.
"Now begins a time of great change," the Sorcerer Supreme murmured to herself after they'd gone. "The outcome of which remains... uncertain."
She departed the chamber, the lights dimming with a casual gesture as her soft footsteps faded into the distance.