Kamar-Taj.
Karl Mordo entered the chamber of the Ancient One and bowed.
"Supreme One."
She gestured calmly toward the tea before her. Mordo took a sip, letting the warmth steady his thoughts, then spoke.
"I failed, Master. I was unable to win the Dragon Ball Tournament. I couldn't secure a wish."
The Ancient One seemed unsurprised, even indifferent. Instead she asked,
"And what did you learn from this experience?"
Mordo considered.
"This world is far more wondrous than I imagined. There are powers and forces beyond our comprehension. Technology has surpassed expectations. I read of Asgard and Thor in our texts, but to see him in person… to see Mjolnir shatter my Mirror Dimension… it was humbling."
He paused, then added:
"I witnessed werewolves, vampires, Eternals… Yet I don't understand—if Earth is home to so many powerful beings, why do we not unite them against dimensional invasions?"
The Ancient One replied serenely:
"Every being has a different destiny. Their path is not to guard against dimensional threats. Just as ours is not to play at being superheroes."
Mordo nodded slowly. After a moment he confessed,
"I even thought of speaking to Smith Dole, to use Shenron's wish to end dimensional invasions once and for all. But after the tournament he dismissed everyone but the champion. And… the resurrection of the dead… it unsettles me, Master. It feels wrong to defy nature itself."
The Ancient One gave him a long look.
"Yet you would bend the same wish to alter dimensions?"
Mordo faltered. "That's… different. The Dragon Balls are artifacts, like our relics…"
She cut him off gently.
"Mordo. Reflect on what you've seen. Let this experience temper your understanding."
He bowed and withdrew, still conflicted.
…
Asgard.
Heimdall reported what he had witnessed. Odin listened in silence, then sighed.
"So Thor failed. He gained no wish."
"Yes, All-Father," Heimdall confirmed. "But not without gain. His power deepened. For a moment, he wielded lightning without Mjolnir. Sadly, only in unconscious fury. He has not mastered it awake."
Odin's frown eased. "A small blessing, then. And Shenron?"
"My sight was blocked. All Earth was covered in shadow. Shenron himself concealed the moment. When light returned, a woman stood on the arena. I believe the wish was granted."
Odin closed his eye in thought.
"Leave Thor on Midgard. He must prepare for the next tournament. When the Dragon Balls surface again, seek them out and send word to him."
"Yes, my King," Heimdall replied.
…
Onboard the Eternals' aircraft.
Ajak addressed her companions.
"Tina has lost. Her illness remains. But the next chance, we cannot miss. We must ensure she wins."
Gilgamesh nodded firmly. "I'll stand with her."
Kingo asked, "What do we do?"
Sersi ventured, "Can't we negotiate? If we pay the price, perhaps Smith Dole would use Shenron to heal Tina."
The group murmured in agreement.
Ajak raised a hand. "I will approach him. But breaking rules is never simple. It could cost dearly. So—we need another path. When the Dragon Balls reappear, we act first. With our powers, collecting them should not be difficult. If we gather all seven, Tina can wish directly. Even a few will give us advantage in the tournament."
Her words earned nods of resolve.
…
Meanwhile, on another plane, Eddie Brock had thoughts to share with his boss but held back when he saw Smith Dole with eyes closed in meditation.
For Smith's consciousness was elsewhere—within the system's inner space.
The Dragon Balls had scattered once more, and with them the forbidden dark wish-lotteries lit up again.
Smith's anticipation surged. Last time he had gained Piccolo's abilities, Master Korin, and the Senzu Beans. What now awaited him? Dragon Ball Z was beginning—Vegeta, Nappa, the Ginyu Force, Frieza, Super Saiyan transformations, even Android 18…
The possibilities made his blood stir.
Without hesitation, he opened the character lottery and scanned the glowing constellations of new arrivals.
(End of Chapter)
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