"The Ancient One from Whitebeard's world is in another universe. If you're interested, I can take you there when I have some free time.
As for me, I am the Ancient One of this universe. It's a pleasure to meet our guests from the neighboring world."
Before Axel could answer Clark's question, the Ancient One greeted them with a warm smile.
Seeing how courteous she was, and realizing she already knew who they were, Lex smiled.
"Hello, Ancient One. It seems you've already seen parts of our future in your world.
Reality and stories are never exactly the same. With your ability to perceive the future, it makes sense that you were prepared for our arrival."
As he finished speaking, Lex turned to study the skyline of New York.
After a brief glance around, Bruce patted Lex on the shoulder.
"Aside from a few landmarks, like the damaged Stark Tower and the Avengers' New York headquarters...
This New York is almost identical to ours.
Could it be that both universes were shaped by the same creators?"
Axel chuckled.
"Not exactly, but close enough. The Ancient One already said our worlds are neighbors.
Creative inspiration spreads in strange ways. One creator borrows ideas from another, editors move between publishers, studios share resources, and productions often use the same locations.
With that happening, it's no surprise both versions of New York look nearly identical. Maybe even the visual effects teams are the same."
Laughing, Axel patted Bruce's arm before walking over to the Ancient One. Without the slightest hesitation, he casually draped an arm over her shoulder.
His wandering hand hovered a little too close for comfort.
The Ancient One sighed, then gently pushed it away.
"Axel," she said with an amused smile, "I'm over two thousand years old. Are you trying to provoke the Sorcerer Supreme?"
"You're misunderstanding me, Old Sister. I just hate seeing someone with so little time left. I figured I should appreciate the moment while I still can."
"Axel..."
Clark hurried over, his face turning red as he pulled Axel away.
"I'm sorry, Ancient One. Our leader's way of thinking is a little..."
The Ancient One waved dismissively.
"It's fine. I understand him. I simply wouldn't be quite so... straightforward."
Axel nudged Clark with an elbow.
"Seriously? We're on the same side. Why are you dragging me away?"
Clark stared at him in disbelief.
"When I see you trying to flirt with a woman who's over two thousand years old, what exactly am I supposed to do?
Sometimes I genuinely wish I could resign, Axel. We represent our entire world. Can't you act with a little dignity?"
Bruce and Lex both nodded in wholehearted agreement.
Watching the four of them argue, the Ancient One couldn't help smiling.
"Please, come with me. I should at least offer my guests some tea.
Leaving visitors standing on a rooftop isn't exactly proper hospitality."
She led them toward the stairwell.
Although it appeared to be an ordinary staircase, the moment they stepped inside, the surroundings changed completely.
Instead of a skyscraper interior, they found themselves inside an ancient two-story castle whose true size had been hidden from the outside.
The corridors were lined with relics, enchanted weapons, and magical artifacts.
Lex admired everything with obvious fascination, while Bruce carefully examined each display.
Then...
Crash!
A display case shattered.
A bright red cloak floated out, drifting straight toward Bruce before happily wrapping itself around his shoulder.
Bruce blinked.
"This...
That's Doctor Strange's Cloak of Levitation, isn't it?
It looks a little different in person than it did in the comics, but...
Why is it choosing me?"
He looked helplessly toward the Ancient One.
She rubbed the side of her head.
"Yes, that's the Cloak of Levitation. It has a cheerful personality.
Apparently, it likes you even more than my future disciple.
Bruce, you're quite impressive."
With a flick of her hand, she gently but firmly peeled the cloak away from Bruce.
Ignoring its obvious resistance, she placed it back inside the display case before repairing the broken glass with magic.
The cloak slumped dramatically against the glass like a heartbroken child.
Bruce swallowed.
He had to admit, he liked the little thing.
The Ancient One noticed his expression and apologized.
"I'm sorry, but I can't give it to you.
It's not because of destiny or favoritism.
The magical systems of our two universes are fundamentally different. If the Cloak of Levitation leaves this world, its magic will fade completely. It would become nothing more than an ordinary cloak."
She tapped the display case.
"And you, Cloak. He doesn't belong to this universe.
Do you really want to die?"
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The cloak pounded against the glass in protest before slowly standing upright.
Then it formed a tiny hand from one corner and gave Bruce a slow, reluctant farewell wave.
Even Axel found himself amused.
This thing was more entertaining than a Saturday morning cartoon.
The Ancient One let out a relieved breath.
"Come. We'll continue in the tea room.
I'd like to offer each of you a magical gift, but our universes aren't compatible. Tea is the best hospitality I can provide."
She quickened her pace.
After only a few more steps, the corridor suddenly opened into an elegant tea room filled with incense and candlelight.
Axel smirked.
"You're moving awfully fast, Ancient One.
Afraid more of your adorable magical artifacts will fall for my friends' magnificent souls?"
"I won't deny it," the Ancient One replied.
"Everyone here, except you, possesses a remarkably splendid soul."
With a wave of her hand, a tea table and five meditation cushions appeared.
She sat first.
The remaining cushions arranged themselves opposite her.
Axel casually took one, followed by Clark, Bruce, and Lex.
An antique tea set appeared on the table.
Beside it sat an oversized beer mug.
Everyone else received delicate teacups.
Only Axel found the heavy beer mug in front of him.
Moments later, rich golden beer filled it on its own.
Axel grinned.
"As expected of you, Old Sister. You already know exactly what I want."
The Ancient One sighed.
"Axel, must everything you say sound suggestive?
Your soul is filled with chaos, what you call freedom, but that's all it contains.
You're simply teasing people for your own amusement."
She calmly sipped her tea.
Bruce, Clark, and Lex quietly avoided looking at Axel as they drank.
Then the tea room door burst open.
Two young sorcerers stepped inside.
The blond man, his expression dark, strode forward.
"Sorcerer Supreme, these are the interdimensional beings detected by the Sanctum, aren't they?
Then why are you peacefully drinking tea with monsters from another universe?"
He immediately drew two short staffs.
Golden magical whips erupted from their tips.
The glowing lashes scorched the wooden floor wherever they touched.
Without the slightest hesitation, Axel raised a hand.
Whoosh!
The blond sorcerer's vision spun upside down.
Before he understood what had happened, Axel had effortlessly disarmed him.
The golden whip immediately wrapped around him several times in an extremely awkward position, leaving him completely immobilized.
The black-haired sorcerer standing beside him inhaled sharply.
Thankfully, he had chosen to remain silent.
The Ancient One pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Kaecilius."
She sighed.
"They are guests from another universe.
They are living humans, not entities from another dimension.
After making contact with them, surely you've realized your mistake."
"I have, Master Ancient One!"
Kaecilius nodded frantically despite struggling against his restraints.
"I know I was wrong! No cosmic entity would tie someone up like this. He clearly watches far too many Japanese movies. Ah! It hurts! It really hurts!"
The enchanted whip burned with magical heat.
Kaecilius curled into himself in agony while the smell of scorched fabric filled the room.
Clark, Bruce, and Lex immediately lost all desire to continue drinking tea.
"Axel!"
Bruce reached forward, intending to free Kaecilius.
Before he could interfere, Lex grabbed his arm.
"Bruce.
That's Kaecilius.
Didn't you notice that even Clark isn't trying to stop Axel?"
Bruce frowned.
"Kaecilius... who?"
Although Bruce had spent the previous night reading DC and Marvel comics after refusing Rachel's invitation to relax, he'd mostly focused on Spider-Man and the Avengers.
He hadn't gotten around to Doctor Strange's stories.
Still, Bruce wasn't foolish.
If even Clark wasn't intervening, then Kaecilius clearly wasn't innocent.
That said...
Did punishing him really have to involve that?
Could anyone finish their tea with that smell in the room?
A few minutes later, Bruce finally dragged Axel out of the New York Sanctum.
They weren't leaving because the meeting had ended.
They simply couldn't tolerate the overwhelming smell any longer.
Stepping onto the busy streets of New York, they immediately noticed the strange looks from passing pedestrians.
The four exchanged glances before heading into a quiet side street.
"Clark," Lex said, "switch your suit to casual mode through the AI."
Lex and Bruce transformed their nanotech armor into elegant black and purple business suits.
After figuring out the controls, Clark changed his combat suit into a dark blue suit.
Axel casually brushed his hand across his chest.
His black suit instantly shifted into a brilliant white one.
Looking at Axel's flashy appearance, Bruce sighed.
"If there's nothing else, let's go meet Iron Man."
"No objections."
Lex nodded.
The four of them left the alley and climbed into a taxi.
Watching four sharply dressed men squeeze into a single cab, a nearby parent pulled their child closer and said with complete seriousness,
"See that? Eat your vegetables. Otherwise you'll grow up looking that well dressed and still won't own a car."
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