Introduction

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the defeat of Thanos and the subsequent events in Avengers: Endgame have left many questions unanswered. One of the most intriguing and debated topics involves the potential outcome if Hulk had brought the Ancient One back with him to battle Thanos. This article explores the reasons why this couldn't happen, emphasizing how the rules of time travel and the specific circumstances surrounding the events of Avengers: Endgame prevented such a scenario from occurring.

Why Hulk Could Not Bring the Ancient One Back

The reasons why Hulk could not bring the Ancient One back to battle Thanos are multifaceted and rooted in the intricate timelines and time travel mechanics of the Avengers universe. Several explanations play a role in this, but the primary reasons include:

1. Lack of Knowledge About Thanos’s Return

At the time of the battle, Hulk was unaware that Thanos was planning to return in 2023. This information was only shared later in the movie. Therefore, Hulk had no foresight to prepare for this scenario.

2. Absence of a Time GPS Device for the Ancient One

Recounting the events leading up to the battle, one crucial piece of equipment was the Time GPS device. This device, a technological marvel, allowed characters to navigate through time precisely. Without it, navigating through time would be nearly impossible, leading to potential disastrous outcomes. Furthermore, if the Ancient One went with Hulk, the device would be needed to ensure her safe journey back to her own time after the battle.

3. Uncertainty of the Ancient One's Willingness and Abilities

The Ancient One, a powerful and wise entity, had specific roles and responsibilities in her own time. Her decision to leave her own timeline and join the battle with the knowledge that she would die is uncertain. Additionally, in the midst of an intense and chaotic battle with Thanos, it is highly unlikely that the Ancient One would have the necessary focus or physical ability to engage in combat directly.

It is also worth noting that the Ancient One was already deceased well before the snap occurred and returned in 2023. She was felled by the assault of Kaecilius and a fall from great height, and as such, her physical form was no longer present in the timeline. Therefore, even with the temporal GPS device and the knowledge of Thanos’s return, bringing her back to battle would have been impossible.

4. Limited Availability of Time GPS Devices

In the Marvel cinematic universe, only one Time GPS device is available. If the Ancient One went with Hulk to fight Thanos, Hulk would have been left without a means to navigate through time and return to his own timeline. This limitation would have left him stranded in the past, making him an ineffective ally in the final battle.

Clarification of the Snap Mechanism

The snap implemented by Thanos at the end of Avengers: Infinity War had specific parameters. It brought back those who had been snapped away by Thanos and reassembled, but it did not revive those who had died through other means. This is evident from the characters caught in the snap:

Characters who died due to the snap: Bucky Barnes, Wanda Maximoff, Everett Ross, Vision, Empress Militia. Characters who died before the snap: Gamora, Natasha Romanoff, Heimdall, Okoye, the Ancient One.

For instance, Gamora and Natasha, who died for the Soul Stone, did not come back with the snap because they were killed through other means. Similarly, the Ancient One, who was killed in the final battle, was not brought back. The snap only affected those who were part of his original snap and were snapped away in 2018. Their reappearance was instantaneous and in their 2018 forms, materializing in 2023.

Conclusion

In the grand scheme of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the events of Avengers: Endgame are intricately connected by the rules of time, space, and the capabilities of its characters. While the concept of Hulk bringing the Ancient One back to battle Thanos may seem plausible, it is rooted in the limitations of time travel and the specific mechanisms of the snap. Without a Time GPS device and the willingness of the Ancient One, the scenario simply could not play out as imagined. Nonetheless, the complexities of the Avengers universe continue to spark endless discussions and debates among fans and enthusiasts alike.