Re: Heroes X Marvel X DC 19 Ancient One 2,311 Words

Flying straight ahead to Mystic Arts New York Sanctum at 177A Bleecker Street, seeing that iconic basketball symbol on its rooftop he lightly landed on its front door before knocking.

Upon which he was greeted by Daniel Drumm the previous master of the New York Sanctum before he was killed by Kaecillius and replaced by Dr. Strange.

『Daniel』"The Ancient One (AO) has been expecting you."

Leading his first one and only guest in the past few years inside the sanctum.

『John』"I bet she does..."

Proceeding inside and remembering how the AO abuses the usage of Time-stone even for basic conversation, making him think to use his own [Time Force] to do the same but forgetting about it, as he doesn't want his meeting with AO to be spoiled.

Once John entered, Daniel went and created a portal from their Eldritch Magic that is connected to Kamar Taj as they headed straight to AO's quarters the same place from the movie where Strange met her.

『AO』"It is finally time to put a face on the name, oh 'fateless one'. Leave us alone, please. Please, take a seat. Would you like a cup of tea, mister?"

As she waves her hand signaling everyone else in the room to leave except AO and John. Not before she moves both of them to the mirror dimension to continue. Making sure that they are both in a comfortable sitting position, John had a shocked expression as he nodded speechlessly only managing to speak after taking a sip from the tea AO served him.

『John』"Ahh, yes.. sorry... Name's Markly John Wayne of Wayne Enterprise, you can just call me John. I'm sure you've heard of, and what should I call you? Ancient One? Yao? or Sorcerer Supreme?"

John shook her hand, still not sure why the AO doesn't know of him tries to take advantage of her while still trying to sort out the possibilities in his head. AO still wearing poker face at the mention of her real name, which is probably trained for hundreds of years.

『AO』"Yao would be preferable, as Ancient One or Sorcerer Supreme is too long and AO is too modern for me..."

Yao replies while taking a sip of tea and a.s.sessing his guest from head to toe. Still confused at how the conversation is just casual and not very informative according to his expectations John went straight to the point.

『John』" I'm sorry for being blunt, this isn't how I expected our conversation would be like. I thought it'd be more like, you being more initiative, as I expected, you have watched our possible conversation through the Time-stone prior to meeting me..."

『Yao』"Ahh, yes.. that... Though I frequently do such a thing, I'm sad to say that I can't do the same to some unique cases such as yourself being a 'Fateless One' or to proper term it 'Traveler of Multiverse'."

Gaining a wide eye and O-shaped mouth from her guest, Yao can't help it but let out a smirk. John shocked, though he expected something like this from the End Game movie, still can't stop his emotions going out as he downed his refilled tea.

『John』"I see... Though I expected it, care to elaborate please?"

『Yao』"As I believe you already know, I have on my person, one of the Infinity Stones the Time-stone within the Eye of Agamotto. And with the help of our Eldritch Magic that draws powers from the different dimensions within and of the Multiverse, I am able to see and connect with my other versions in different Timelines and Universes that I use to see the future possibilities though it's mostly peering through their eyes."

『John』(Should've guessed the relation about those two things... clues about it being possible to do were already mentioned even in the movie of Doctor Strange.)

『Yao』"Upon which, my alternate selves found unique beings that don't originate or belong in our/their cosmos. Bearing unique sets of abilities and unknown physiology, knowledge of detailed future some even when they are but just a baby and technologies out of their reach, some making drastic changes in the timeline but doesn't produce a branching timeline out of the changes."

『John』(G.o.ddammit! f.u.c.king reincarnators and transmigrators, forgot that me and my friends(past life) went through the same thing and it's not impossible for others too. Even Truck-kun mentioned before, him finishing his quota of deliveries. Should make preparations in case I meet one of them that is able to bypa.s.s Truck-kun's blessings.)

『Yao』"Wherein as of late, I try using such method to peer into the future within our current cosmos, there is a fog that is slowly encompa.s.sing heroes of future such as Mr. Peter Parker, Jean Gray and furthermore my supposed future that I can't look past before is not blank anymore but just dark gray fog."

『John』(She must be talking about the scene where Strange is trying to save her in the hospital and had a talk in the Astral Dimension)

『Yao』"That's when I decided to compare the current developments within the planet with my other-selves. Though some timelines there exists a Wayne Enterprise, some do not have, there is a consistency among them..."

『Yao』"Their names Martha, Thomas, and their son Bruce Wayne whereas when I had Mordo check your family, lo and behold, you have a different set of names except for the Wayne surname."

『John』(Well s.h.i.t! I f.u.c.king bet that's Truck-kun's idea on messing with this universe for me annoying him).

『Yao』"I concluded you were one of those unique 'Travelers', for whenever I try to peer through your future and those close to you I'm blocked with the same fog I mentioned earlier. Does that answer satisfy you, John? If so, to what do I owe this visit of yours? Are you after the stone I'm guarding like many who seeks power?"

Slowly sipping the tea she has to wet the parched throat from explaining the current situation while giving a glare after the last sentence wordlessly saying she's willing to fight it out if John doesn't explain himself.

Taking a moment to process the information he just received while slowly drinking tea, he feels like Yao the Ancient One is still holding out some important details regarding what she knew of him and the 'Traveler' stuff.

『John』SIGH "That's good enough explanation thanks. It's not that I'm not willing to disclose our origin, it is more of we are forbidden to even mention any details regarding our type of existence."

『John』(Lol, it's more like the unwritten rule of all reincarnators, and transmigrators to not even disclose it and treat it as a secret to be brought to our graves.)

『John』" Regarding the reason for my visit, though you are half correct that I'm after your Infinity Stone too, it is not like I want to keep it to myself (smirk inside) I just want to borrow it for a while to research it."

『John』"You can even watch me by the side doing the research if that rea.s.sures you. As for the other, I want to learn the Mystic Arts offered by Kamar Taj."

『Yao』"I understand, I'm familiar with such circ.u.mstances as I saw common situations in other timelines. Most of what I said earlier was based on a guess from my other-selves and confirmation through the other 'Travelers' reactions that also came to learn Mystic Arts."

『Yao』"I'm willing to teach you our ways in some condition, though before we discuss that I also have some questions for you. Don't worry, it's not about your origins it's more about what do you know of our current cosmos."

『John』"Ahh, if it's like that then I will answer to the best I could offer. I also want to learn more about your knowledge of the matter."

They debated back and forth for quite some time on what they know of the Marvel-verse they reside in. Comparing the differences in what they knew such as John's MCU and 616 knowledge, while Yao's current knowledge on what exactly happened in a specific event that led to some of DC universe' inclusion.

After their discussion, they went and settled the conditions Yao placed in exchange for learning the Mystic Arts and research of the Time-stone. Wherein John also placed a condition that Yao and the whole of Kamar Taj will be a part of his nation once he finishes building it.

Seeing as the sun is almost down, John excused himself early not forgetting to leave a clone behind to start learning from the Ancient One of the Mystic Arts. He didn't go through the door leading back to the New York Sanctum as he wanted to fly back and clear his thoughts on what he gained from meeting Yao.

Flying in supersonic speed back to New York, he can't help having a sour face thinking of that one condition Yao gave him, "... Last but not the least, please, DON'T ABANDON EARTH".

She stated that condition. as some of the 'Travelers' she saw through her other-selves, that went a different path due to some conflicts they had while living in Earth of their cosmos, caused their universe/planet to break to 'move on' for they have nothing else.

An example was one 'Traveler' had his entire family, friends, and loved ones wiped by the Shi'ar Empire when he thought he could face them through sheer force with otherworldly abilities.

With his arrogance getting the better of him, he didn't notice letting some slip away to take care of those important to him and when he came back to celebrate his achievement of conquering the Empire, he had no one left therefore he collected the stones himself ahead of Thanos and destroyed the Universe with it.

『John』(r.e.t.a.r.ded motherf.u.c.ker, he could've just reality warped if not time traveled himself before his closed one's died. No need to end everything else, and waste time reincarnating/transmigrating again.)

『Augur』(I believe based on the wuxia and other novels you have read sir that I quote 'he was blinded by rage and revenge' at the shock of suddenly losing those he held dear.)

『John』(...)

『John』(I guess so, that reminds me, I'm ordering you to calm me down whatever it takes if I have moments like that being blinded by emotion and unable to think things through.)

『Augur』(Noted, Sir.)

『John』(Well, all things considered, I'm already 3 stones down and 3 stones left.)

『Augur』(Actually sir, technically it's still 1 stone-...)

『John』(Shut it, I'm speaking metaphorically. Don't ruin it.)

『Augur』(...)

『John』"Just play Natural - Imagine Dragons" commanded as he sped flying back home.

-----

Will you hold the line, when every one of them has given up and given in, tell me

In this house of mine

Nothing ever comes without a consequence or cost tell me

Will the stars align

Will heaven step in will it save us from our sin, will it?

���Cause this house of mine stands strong

That's the price you pay

Leave behind your heart and cast away

Just another product of today

Rather be the hunter than the prey

And you're standing on the edge face up

'Cause you're a natural

A beating heart of stone

You gotta be so cold

To make it in this world

Yeah, you're a natural

Living your life cutthroat

You gotta be so cold

Yeah, you're a natural...

-----

--- NED's POV ---

A bald young man with now average build hiding small fats leftover on his chin, and belly lying on the ground exhausted after running in the treadmill for a total of 10km long.

『Ned���(It's been months since I started following that t.i.tan's h.e.l.l training [Saitama Training] routine. Though I'm making progress it still feels too slow, I need to put more effort!

Peter already a genius to begin with and now has his mutated Spider bite that made him strong, Jean has her inborn mutant powers while Gwen is a genius prodigy herself and already physically fit even though all of us started together.

While I'm just a nerd good with computers and wasting time with games, I don't want to be left behind and be a support in the backlines while they risk their lives protecting people. I want to be by their side and protect their backs too!

This is my only chance to be a part of something more... something GREATER!)

With renewed vigor, he manages to finish his exercise before pa.s.sing out this time of over-exhaustion. Unknown to him there was someone watching him hidden within his shadows who heard his thoughts.

『John(Clone)』(Never thought he was this stubborn, guess this is one of the changes I brought by growing up with them. Should put him back to his bed before he gets a cold sleeping on the floor.)

『John(Clone)』(Don't worry big guy, the formula is already complete you can have abilities soon enough. Though it will be delayed a little bit as it is better to take it when your base body is in peak human condition for better effects. Hang in there!)