Fantastic Four: The Engineer of Eternity

Chapter IX: The Keeper of Time

        The Fantastic Four get to their feet and follow Kang through the last portal of their long-running adventure. Into The Citadel at the end of time! They find Kang standing before three tall creatures. They wear long robes with their faces being green and resembling that of an insect. Each of them seems to resemble a different phase of life. One appears to be female, looking young and flawless. The middle one is male and even appears middle-aged. The last one is also male with several scars and wrinkles as though he had been weathered over time.

Kang slowly approaches, "The Time Keepers. I come to you, victorious. I've watched and waited. Biding my time. I need not interfere with the course of time nor history any longer. I've conquered. I've won. I've nearly seen to it that every version of Reed Richards is wiped from existence except only a handful! Give me what I desire and the job will be complete. Give me mastery over the timestream and I guarantee the multiverse will go unbothered under my rule."

The Time Keepers just stare at Kang without saying a single word.

"Please." Kang pleads.

The Fantastic Four just watch. Unsure of what's going to happen.

"ANSWER ME!!!" Kang yells ferociously.

"Calm down, my boy. There's no need for that." An old man steps out from behind a curtain next to The Time Keepers. The old man is covered in wrinkles with tired eyes wearing only a long purple cloak.

"What in the Wizard of Oz is this?" Johnny asks confused.

"Who are you?" Kang asks.

The old man hesitates to answer, not because he's reluctant, but because he simply struggles to remember. "He Who Remains."

Kang repeats the old man as if he hadn't heard him correctly, "He Who Remains?"

"That's right. I run the TVA."

"I thought the Time Keepers ran the TVA."

"Well, they do! That's because I tell them to. I created these beautiful creatures a long time ago. I taught them everything about time. The very concept of life as we know it. I proposed we begin this organization to keep it all in tact. I've been doing this for so long I can't remember who I was or how I came to be. I am the oldest living being in the universe. I just remain."

"You're The Keeper of Time?" Kang asks.

"I suppose." He Who Remains responds. "When you put it that way. We all have roles in our respective universes. Roles that must be fulfilled. It isn't by choice or chance. These are pre-determined fates, you see. Time dictates our lives. Sees to it that we fall right into place. As if the universe is one giant game board and each person inside is an individual piece. Kang, you stand here as The Lord of Time. I've seen many Kangs conquer many worlds without the desire you have. To see an end to the conquest. A goal, if you will. You're different. There's something rooted within you. You are more than a Kang. You are not Kang now that you've made it this far. You are The Keeper of Time. And... my word... Reed Richards."

Reed looks scared as if he doesn't know what the old man will say next.

"Reed Richards, you are... The Engineer of Eternity. You keep the world turning."

"Lies!" Kang shouts. "Reed Richards is responsible for the destruction of countless universes!"

"That is correct. But life continues. Whether it may be for the greater good or not, the destruction of those worlds were always meant to happen. Reed Richards is always the one to breathe new life into these fallen civilizations. Some variants destroy everything around them, yes, but not every version of Reed Richards does it intentionally. In fact, there was only ever one truly evil variant of Reed Richards and we finally found and pruned him just yesterday. The one you came in contact with."

Reed stares at He Who Remains with tears in his eyes.

"You see, Reed Richards will always find a way to preserve humanity. Even if he loses himself along the way. That's why I let this Kang destroy the TVA. I don't want The Citadel to be reachable anymore. Even in his anger, he does understand what's best for the timeline in his own twisted way. It needs a new leader. To sit here at the end of time. Without interference from the outside world." He Who Remains approaches Kang, "We're a lot alike. We want nothing more than to see the timeline prosperous. I see good in you. Somewhere. It's deep. Tucked away. Hidden within, but it's there. That's why I want you to safeguard the timeline. Only with time... can you find your humanity." He Who Remains smiles as he puts his hand on Kang's shoulder.

Reed looks shocked at the proposition.

Kang stares at the old man with a look of profound confusion. No one has seen the good in him since...

"I'm tired. And I'm old." He Who Remains continues as he takes his hand off Kang. He holds out a medallion that represents all of time. "All this responsibility has been cruel to me. I want rest. Will you help me?"

Reed is speechless.

Just then, Kang prunes He Who Remains with a pruning stick he stole off one of the TVA officers he murdered.

Reed cries out, "No!"

Kang picks up the medallion and walks towards The Time Keepers. Kang strips off his armor and uses his neurokinesis to change the material of his costume. Throwing off his purple helmet, he peels away the bio-metal of his blue face mask. He gives his cape a large spiky collar and puts the large circular medallion around his neck to hang on his chest. He replaces his gauntlets with yellow gloves and constructs a large purple crown that resembles the likeness of a mitre. He throws back the curtain that He Who Remains came out from behind. It's a small bed with a table that holds a small glass of water, which is still full. Kang ignores it and constructs a large throne to sit upon. He takes a seat and lets his cape drape down to the side as he interlocks his fingers. Just staring at The Fantastic Four.

Reed starts breaking down laughing so hard he begins to cry.

"He's finally cracked up. Lost his mind." Kang declares.

"Hahaha! No, Kang! Don't you see? Don't any of you see?" Reed asks hysterically.

"Honey," Sue puts her hand on Reed's shoulder, "You're scaring me."

"The meaning of everything. To achieve our destiny. Accept our pre-determined fates no matter what. That's it. That's why we're all here. That's the meaning of life. We've all ended up where we are supposed to be. The journey changes every single time, but the destination is still the same. It always will be."

Kang responds, "Oh, but this isn't over yet, Richards. My destiny was to become The Keeper of Time. I achieved that. I am no longer a conqueror. I am no longer a Kang. Which means... haha... you have no idea what's coming."

"What's coming?" Ben asks.

"Prime." He responds.

Reed speaks up, "I will sustain life and keep everything in this universe breathing. I don't care who or what's coming. They'll never be enough for me and my family."

"You'll care soon enough. Good luck, Richards."

Sue, Johnny, and Ben comfort Reed. They embrace him and encourage him to leave.

"Come on, Reed. Let's go home." Johnny says as he puts his arm around Reed's shoulder.

Before they leave, Kang has one final message, "Lastly, Richards..."

Reed turns around to see what he wants.

"Call me Immortus."

Reed keeps walking towards the way out. Along with his family. While in the background, Immortus sits upon his throne. Keeper of time. Smirking as the battle of the multiverse has only just begun.