(Narrator POV)
Ritsuka broke into a sudden laugh, holding up both hands as if caught mid-prank.
"Just kidding," he said casually, the weight of the moment dropping like a curtain.
"I'm Fujimaru Ritsuka."
Sakura blinked. Her tense expression softened instantly.
"Eh? That's your real name?" she asked, tilting her head. "You had me thinking you were some James bond…"
Ritsuka scratched the back of his head.
'She's not wrong, technically…I guess'
Meanwhile, Doctor Doom and The Ancient One (Yao) didn't move. Their eyes remained locked on Ritsuka.
"…Alright then, I'm Yao and he is doom. So Ritsuka," Yao finally said, her tone composed but not unkind, "why did you summon all of us without consulting us?"
She gestured subtly toward Sakura, who still looked a bit too confused to be alarmed.
Ritsuka paused.
'I can't just say it was an accident. Then again, most of my accidents have been fate dressed in chaos… like Joining Chaldea, meeting Mash... becoming Master... even coming to this world.'
His expression steadied. The smile faded into a confident neutrality.
'This meeting might be fate too. But I still don't trust them fully yet. I had this feeling, No, I'm sure, my life will change differently in this new world.'
He took a breath.
"To explain why I brought you guys here," he began, "I need to explain a bit about myself. I'm not from this world originally. I came here because... fate called me."
'Technically, it was an accident, but it still counts.'
Doom raised a brow beneath his mask. Yao folded her arms but listened quietly.
"Since arriving here, I've tried to understand the threats lurking beneath the surface. I summoned the three of you here because I believe you're capable to help me to stop what's coming...directly or indirectly. So... I apologize for dragging you in without permission."
He bowed slightly...earnest and humble.
"What? Wait wait wait," Sakura interrupted, raising her hand like a student. "Are you… like… an alien or something?"
Ritsuka blinked.
'Right. It's still 2003. Sci-fi movies about aliens are more common than multiverse theory.'
Before he could answer, Yao stepped in.
"You can think of him as an agent of balance," she said. "Someone who travels where supernatural events threaten the world, and handles them... accordingly."
"So... like a Agent of Mysteries." Sakura nodded, starting to get into it.
'What a way to say he is jobless now.'Sakura thought herself.
"...Sure," Ritsuka gave up explaining deeper lore. "Close enough."
"Tch. I'm not interested in heroics," Doom scoffed, tap the table, cloak brushing the fog. "The world doesn't need saving. It needs order. And I intend to rule it."
Sakura leaned over and whispered herself. 'He's super full of himself, huh?'
Yao sighed."You intend to rule it, yes. But ruling through fear and conquest is not the same as saving it. You speak of salvation without understanding what people need."
"Spoken like a monk who hides behind temples," Doom shot back.
Ritsuka clapped his hands gently once.
"Enough guys."
They quieted.
"To be clear," Ritsuka said, voice calm but firm, "I haven't decided to let you join me. Trust goes both ways."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"But I will save this world. Not alone, but I'll do what I must."
He turned slightly, inner thoughts blooming quietly'So far I have seen 4 Main problems. Hydra,… the D'Bari are arriving on earth… the Hand is operating through shadows in Japan and had connection to old dead dragon body… and Jean Grey is awakening the Phoenix. Phoenix is the biggest threat, but maybe Hakuno and I can still reach her.'
Yao observed him carefully.
'So he is aware of the stakes. He's not just blindly confident… but grounded, experienced.'
Yao misunderstood that he was talking about all future threats of this world. Mainly the darkness which devour the creation.
This may be blessing or cruse for Ritsuka because he could never imagine the problems he will face everyday in near future. But again he is the Last protector of humanity. He will still save the world in the end.
"Are you sure you can handle ALL OF THIS?" Yao asked.
"I'll save as many as I can," Ritsuka replied without hesitation. "Just like I always have. Even if I stumble... I won't stop walking forward."
Yao gave a small, approving nod.
'He may not be from this world, but his heart is in the right place. Maybe he's not the harbinger I feared…'
Doom didn't answer. But he didn't scoff again either.
"You are a fool," Doom declared, his voice heavy with disdain.
Ritsuka didn't flinch. He merely gave a tired, resigned smile.
"Yes," he replied, his voice calm. "I'm a fool who doesn't belong in this era."
A sharp silence followed.
"Whatever," Doom scoffed, folding his arms. "Doom doesn't waste time on the nonsense of fairytale. I build legacies. I command nations. I make history. I don't need this."
Sitting confidently, Doom's arrogance clung to him like armor. His voice echoed with the weight of monarchs past.
Ritsuka just watched him.
'He's not completely wrong. But the way he clings to his strength… it's the same as those who fear weakness.'
Instead of arguing, Ritsuka gently rapped his knuckle once more on the table's edge, his gaze steady.
"You want to leave, that's fine. But how about we make something useful of this strange gathering? A fair exchange of information. Something that benefits all of us."
'Gathering Information is important after all 'Ritsuka thought himself
Yao's eyes narrowed with interest.
"What do you propose?"
"Simple. We each have knowledge the others don't. I'm not asking for secrets. Just… pieces that might matter later on the world. Fair trade."
Yao leaned back slightly, thoughtful.
'That's dangerous... but fair. And if I don't participate, I'll be left behind.'
But Doom… remained unmoved.
"I turned Latveria from a grave of stone into a kingdom of diamonds. I don't share. Doom takes what he needs."
A soft, defeated sigh came from across the table.
Sakura tighten her hand slowly, like a student in a very awkward classroom.
'Umm… does he even hear himself talk? He sounded like depressed lonely kid who refuse to be friends with others.'
Ritsuka coughed into his hand to cover a smile.' Doom really might beat King Gilgamesh in an ego contest.'
Yao raised a brow, then scoffed.
"Your ego is a garden of blooming nonsense, Doom. You rule like it's still 1200 BC. A tyrant with delusions of nobility. North Korea would blush at your regime."
Doom's mask turned slowly toward her, the air around him crackling faintly with rising irritation.
"Do not compare Doom's perfection to your crumbling temples and trash place, old woman."
He slammed his metal hand onto the table.
Even Sakura jumped.
Ritsuka, unbothered, leaned back with a grin.
Sakura meanwhile raised both hands nervously.
"Okay… I think… I'm just gonna say this Ritsuka, you probably summoned me by accident, right? I mean...I don't blame you, but I think I'm like… the 4th wheel here."
'Honestly I feel like I'm the only normal person here. I just want to go home and cook something instead '
She gave a sheepish smile.
"I can't follow half of what you guys are talking about. And I'm just a normal girl. A normal one. I just want to go back to my life."
Ritsuka's smile faded a bit. Her honesty reminded him of someone.
Mash.
He turned to her gently, bowing his head slightly.
"...I'm sorry. This won't happen again. You didn't deserve to be dragged into this."
Sakura blinked, surprised by the sincerity. She quickly nodded, feeling awkward.
But then Doom spoke again.
"Then remove her. Kill her. She's useless here."
Sakura froze as she backed up slightly.
"W-Wait, I'm still young! Don't do this to me!"
'Is he serious?!'
Ritsuka scraped back as he stood in one smooth movement.
His tone darkened firm, commanding.
"We don't do killing here."
The aura around him shimmered faintly, that same dark-blue energy rising like waves.
Doom glared. He did not speak, but he did not press either.
Sakura slumped with relief, her hand on her chest.
"Thanks… you guys are scary sometimes, but at least Ritsuka was not that scary."
Yao smirked faintly, watching the dynamic unfold. Ritsuka was clearly more than he appeared.
The eldritch mists had quieted. The tension from before now replaced with flickers of curiosity and faint possibility.
As Yao, the Ancient One put her hands on table calmly. Her eyes, old as stars yet sharp as razors, focused not on Doom or Ritsuka… but on Sakura.
"I can teach magic," Yao said, folding her hands with deliberate poise.
Ritsuka blinked, surprised. He tilted his head slightly.
'Me? Learning magic? I never had much talent with proper magecraft, and I relied on the Servants far more than spell circles or rituals.'
He was interested. But hesitant. He knew himself well magic had never come easy.
Sakura, however, leaned forward, her violet eyes shimmering.
"Really? You mean… like, actual magic card tricks?"
Yao smiled faintly. She turned to Ritsuka and said,
"Would you remove the restriction? I'll show her a glimpse."
Ritsuka nodded.
He didn't even need to speak this time. The moment he agreed in his thoughts, the unseen seal that limited magic in the area vanished like fog in the wind.
'This place… really does respond to what I think,' he realized. ' I'm sure of it now. I will test this later.'
A warm light appeared beside Yao. She raised one hand and began drawing glowing golden lines in the air. The lines twisted and curved until they formed a perfect, pulsing circle inscribed with runes.
It hovered in the air between her and Sakura, humming like a living star.
"This is a basic First Circle," Yao explained. "With it, even a normal human can generate a small barrier, manipulate temperature, or repel spiritual entities. A trained mind and focused spirit are all that's required. Magic, in our world, is not inherited bloodline but discipline, will, and resonance."
Sakura stared at it with her mouth slightly open, eyes wide.
"That's… that's amazing."
Ritsuka narrowed his gaze slightly. Yao was focused too intently on Sakura.
'Why does she want Sakura, specifically, to learn? But Her magic is totally different from my world. Could I learn this magic?'
He turned his gaze to Sakura. Her soul was bright. Too bright.
Yao, meanwhile, continued her thoughts internally:
'If I guide her now… perhaps she'll be ready. The Mind Stone will seek a new host one day when That 'Alien' guy gives free will to those stones. And Mephisto definitely try to come after Wanda…and Sakura. Maybe Ritsuka will guide her into right direction this time, if Sakura learns magic and strengthens her spirit with Ritsuka... she might not fall like how she fallen in other timelines.'
She looked at Ritsuka as well.
'This possibility… it only occurred because he exists in this timeline. A man out of place, changing fate by simply being. One of a million timelines, and I've found myself inside his mistake. Or perhaps, his miracle.'
Yao's lips curved ever so slightly.
Not smug. Not arrogant. But satisfied...as though another chess piece had been moved exactly where she wanted.
Sakura sat straight, hands nervously pressed on the table. The hum of Yao's magic still echoed softly in the air.
Ritsuka watched silently, his amber eyes calm but clouded with thought.
'Why does she look so damn much like Xavier when he tried to pitch me that whole "School for Gifted Children" speech… that same smiling recruiter face every damn salesman wears right before they offer you a loan or scam offers.'
He resisted the urge to sigh.
'Still… this choice belongs to Sakura. Not me. I've seen too many people robbed of their agency. If I interfere just because I'm worried, I'm no different than the fate that's haunted me.'
He closed his eyes briefly.
'All I can do now… is guide. Watch. And be there when it matters.'
Then
"Can magic…" Sakura's voice trembled, softer than a whisper. "Can it bring people back from a coma?"
Everyone at the table went still. Her eyes shimmered with quiet desperation.
Yao's answer came too smoothly.
"Of course we can. It's simply a matter of spiritual alignment. If the soul hasn't passed on… we can reach it."
Ritsuka narrowed his gaze.
'Too smooth. That wasn't a promise, it was bait. Yao's playing something deeper here. She knew that question would come. If only I have enough mana I would learn information of Yao, I will try later.'
Even so, he didn't speak. Not yet.
Doom scoffed.
"I didn't know Kamar-Taj lowered itself to the level of streetcorner faith-healers and desperate psychics."
Yao, still smiling, replied, "We're the last line between this Earth and the beings beyond comprehension. We protect what people like you break."
Then quietly, with venom she added:
"Perhaps you should ask us for help with your mother's soul."
Doom's hand twitched.
"Doom… begs for no one."
The flames of old fury sparked in his eyes. Yao had hit a nerve. On purpose.
'Stubborn disciple of Morgan,' Yao thought, suppressing a smirk. 'Your pride remains your chain.'
Sakura smiled, hopeful.
"Thank you. I'll join. I want to become a mage. If I can speak to my mom again, I'll do anything."
Yao gracefully slid a simple card across the table. The front read:
"The Ancient Sanctum – Kamar-Taj"
On the back: a Tibetan address and a phone number that wasn't supposed to exist.
Ritsuka looked at the card, then at Sakura.
'So she really decided. That's her step forward. But something's still off.'
His sixth sense told him that something is off but he can't tell what it was.
Then Sakura finally spoke her truth.
"My mom… she went into a coma when I was nine. No cause. No damage. Doctors said her brain activity was off the charts, like she was… dreaming."
She swallowed hard.
"But I can feel her. In my dreams. I always hear her calling my name. Crying. It hurts."
Ritsuka's heart ached. He felt that he was close to the clue for his uneasy feeling.
He instinctively reached for his Wisdom of Humanity skill wanting to learn more, to see into Sakura's mother.
But....
"—Tch."
No mana. He was completely drained from the earlier summons. He forgot the reason why he summon them in accident.
'Damn it.'
Unknown to the others, Doom had pieced it together. The moment he heard "dreams," the puzzle locked into place.
'A soul removed. A body left behind. It's him. Mephisto.'
The Lord of Lies. The Demon of Deals.
'He already took my mother. Now She's walking the same path. Her mother's not sleeping....her soul's burning in that hell realm.'
But Doom said nothing.
Because it wasn't his problem.
Because he already lost his mother long ago… and this girl was not his to save.
And then—
A sharp pulse of pain stabbed through his temples.
'It's starting now…' Ritsuka thought as he held his head.
'My connection to Azathoth hand… the weight of that thing's power… it's slipping out of sync.'
He felt that his invisible connection with the hand of azathoth and grayish-white fog was beginning to falter.
He winced, but forced a composed smile.
"Every Saturday. Three in the afternoon. Try to be alone during that time," he said calmly, hiding the turbulence behind his voice. "I'll try to summon you again. Maybe plan ahead for leave, so no one notices you falling into sleep from the real world mid-coffee suddenly."
Sakura blinked, then smiled sweetly. Her shoulders relaxed, her nerves finally calming.
"I appreciate it, Fujimaru-kun," she said with a soft bow. "My father worries a lot… I'll plan around it. Thanks for being so considerate."
Ritsuka nodded.
He turned to Doom next, his gaze firm, but respectful.
"Mr. Doom. I know you're uncooperative, and probably already calculating fifty ways to use this group for your ends. But still… I appreciate you. As one of the founding members of this group, I hope your genius helps us save this world."
Doom's metallic fingers tapped once on the armrest. A long pause followed.
'This guy is smooth talker.'
But in the end, he gave a simple reply
"The moment this group is no longer useful, Doom will leave."
It wasn't a rejection. It was a declaration. And more importantly… it was Doom's version of agreement.
Ritsuka smirked to himself.
'Well… I'll take that as a "see you next week."'
He lifted his hand and gently canceled the tether with his command seals. A faint shimmer flickered across Doom's body and just like that, the monarch of Latveria vanished from the mist.
Sakura exhaled like she had been holding her breath for an hour.
"Goodness… I was so nervous to be near Doom. I kept thinking, 'What if I say something dumb and he erases me from existence with his eyes?'"
Ritsuka chuckled. "That would be a valid concern."
Sakura laughed too, brushing a strand of purple hair behind her ear.
"Well, I'll do something to reach Nepal. No matter what, I'll be there next Saturday."
'I want to learn magic. I want to find the cure … for my mother.'
Ritsuka nodded.
"See you then."
With a gesture, the fog curled around her. And Sakura disappeared.
Now only one figure remained.
Yao. The Ancient One.
She stood with that ever-present, unreadable calm.
Ritsuka's eyes sharpened.
"You're hiding," he said flatly.
Yao gave a gentle smile. "No comment."
But her thoughts ran deeper:
'His instincts are dangerous… I must not let him discover that the Mind Stone may seek Sakura as a host. Not now. Not yet I trust him.'
She turned to leave until a single word stopped her.
"Phoenix?"
Yao froze.
Her smile faltered for just a second before returning.
"That's an X-Men matter. They'll handle it."
Her tone was polite. Her words were clinical.
But the undertone was lethal.
"Though… they may have to sacrifice a few things. That's how the Phoenix works."
Ritsuka didn't respond immediately. He only stared at her, weighing her every breath.
'She knows more than she's saying. Something bad is coming. Sacrifice? Whose? Jean? Xavier? Or… someone else?'
Yao bowed respectfully.
"Good evening, Last Master."
With that, he released her tether. The final soul thread dissipated, leaving Ritsuka alone in the vast gray fog...now dimming, now melting.
As for Ritsuka, he felt himself turning heavy rapidly.
"Master, it's time for you to wake up. I will stay in your mind. I have important job... which I promised to uncle Dantes. Sorry for not joining in your journey this time. But protecting you is more important than my enjoyment."
Ritsuka heard Abby voice as he closed his eyes. His surroundings turned fleeting as his eyes met darkness before changing into dazzling morning sunlight.
---
(Narrator POV)
As the golden morning sunlight poured into the quiet apartment, dust motes floated lazily through the air, catching the light like fireflies. The faint chirping of birds outside was the only sound accompanying the serene rise of day.
And there, amidst the stillness, was Ritsuka Fujimaru, wrapped in a warm, sleepy embrace with Hakuno Kishinami.
His body lay against hers, head resting softly on her chest, his breath syncing with the gentle rhythm of her heartbeat. Her arms remained tightly wound around him even in sleep, like she never wanted to let him go.
'So… it really happened,' Ritsuka thought as he stared at the window.
'I summoned Abby… and then Doom, and the Ancient One… and Sakura… all from this world. But my mana's depleted… I need time to recover.'
He flexed his fingers and saw the fading remnants of his Command Seals. Still glowing faintly, but drained just like him.
Letting out a quiet sigh, he glanced at the small analog clock on the wall.
"Same time passed here," he murmured to himself. "That's good."
After a long while, he suddenly let out a sigh and said "I guess, I really can't use that Mysterious Azathoth hand however I wish. Probably because I'm not foreigner class servant."
"I should try to go that place when I recover my mana."
Then his eyes drifted back down… to her.
Her face was peaceful. Eyes closed, breath soft, lips gently parted in sleep. The faintest blush colored her cheeks, and her brown hair was slightly messy from their shared slumber. She looked so real, so alive, so close.
Ritsuka then remembered what happened yesterday. He blushed a little.
'She's… more beautiful now,' Ritsuka thought.
'Kissing her cheek wouldn't be wrong, right? Just a little…'
He leaned forward hesitant, gentle. But just as he was about to kiss her cheek…
She stirred.
Her eyes fluttered open and in the exact same moment, she turned her head and their lips met.
A soft shock ran through Ritsuka's body. The warmth of her lips. The sweetness of morning breath mixed with the scent of cherry blossom shampoo. The unexpected softness. The stillness that followed.
He froze.
She blinked.
Then smiled.
"...Mmm," she teased with a sleepy smirk. "If you keep being this adorable, Ritsuka-kun… we'll end up doing more than kissing."
Ritsuka blinked rapidly, cheeks flushing red.
"I-It was an accident—! I just—I didn't mean to—!"
He didn't get to finish.
Hakuno leaned in again and kissed him.
Properly this time.
Her lips moved with warmth and sincerity, but also confidence. Her body pressed into his, and her fingers found his hand, intertwining with his as she deepened the kiss. His eyes widened, then slowly closed. She tasted like honey and springtime.
When she finally pulled away, she leaned her forehead against his, giggling softly.
"You can stop pretending to be strong with me, you know," she whispered. "You're my precious boyfriend. You're safe here. You're allowed to just be… Ritsuka."
His heart stung. In a good way.
He swallowed, but couldn't find the words.
"Stop teasing me like—"
Another kiss silenced him.
This time slower, softer. Full of things neither of them had ever dared to say aloud.
'She's being so forward today…' Ritsuka thought, dazed.
'Opening up our hearts to each other yesterday has completely changed her. Is this… okay?'
But he didn't resist. How could he?
In her arms, he felt her warmth.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her back.
No regrets. No fear. Just love.
They stayed like that, in the morning silence. Hearts racing, bodies pressed together. Just the two of them lost in each other. In their own world.
Eventually, Hakuno chuckled.
"You're such a good kisser when you stop overthinking."
He hid his face in her shoulder.
"I wasn't overthinking…"
She giggled again and kissed the top of his head.
"Mmhm. Sure, Ritsuka."
And there, in each other's arms, they stayed simply as two people in love.
---
Note: Guys guess what my exams are over. Yesssss. Finally I'm free for now.
Anyway, I will try to post chapters regularly.
How is the chapter? How is this meeting? Did you like how Both doom and Yao roasting each other?
Doom not going to be friends with Ritsuka atleast for now!! I don't plan on making the development rush. We have so many chapters for his development. So you guys don't have to worry about his character.
Also I'm making my version magic system in Marvel because Marvel magic is shit. You will see it later. I will put magic levels and so many in it. Which gives new intersting topic for readers to discuss in future.
And about Sakura, let me say this. I'm not planning to make every girl looks at Ritsuka and fall for him. It was cringe to read. I will make the development slowly and make it looks naturally. I'm not going anywhere so don't Worry about it, I mean you guys know about me right?. No girl would fall for anyone in cringe way. Atleast not in my story. For now Ritsuka and Sakura are just friends.
I want to talk more but I'm busy with all my favourite series to watch, bye.