The Magic of Marvel

Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel.

Chapter 1:

I Should Have Stayed In California

'Thinking'

"Talking"

"Talking"

- Beginning -

Moving from sunshine and beaches of Southern California to the bustling streets of New York was one of the biggest changes that I've ever made to my life. I always told myself that I'd do it one day, but every year seemed to come with newer excuses for why I should put it off.

Eventually, I just got so sick and tired of driving down the same streets and freeways, going to the same restaurants and clubs, and spending time with the same people who never took an interest in anything outside of California.

I mean, come on! I just turned 22 over a month ago, and after graduating college last year and getting a boring nine to five desk job, I was still no closer to leaving Southern California.

But leaving behind everything I knew to try and create a whole new life for myself on the opposite side of the country took time, and more than a little cash to fund the move.

So, I had to patiently wait until I finally saved up enough to make the move, and then I just went for it.

My friends were more than a little upset that I was leaving so suddenly, but that was only because my move caused an upset to their daily routines and lives that they never seemed to want to change. It's amazing how getting away from someone helps you realize just how toxic your relationship with them was.

Outside of my now-former friends, there was really no one else I had to worry about dealing with before my move.

My father was a soldier who spent move of my early life overseas, and later was killed on deployment. After that, it was just my mom and I until she eventually passed away from cancer in my third year of college. I never knew my grandparents, and my parents were both an only-child so there were no aunts or uncles. Just me and my mom.

…and now it's just me.

I should probably introduce myself, shouldn't I?

To start off with, my name is Benjamin Magnusson, though my friends in school called me Ben.

I'm what many of my former friends and colleagues consider to be a Norse giant due to my height of 6'4" -or 193 cm- and a rather bulky body. With short brown hair and blue eyes, I'm mostly happy with how I look despite my size constantly sticking out like a sore thumb.

Most people wonder how I got to be as large as I am, until they find out my name and just pass it off as part of my heritage.

My grandparents were immigrants from Norway who came to America in search of the American Dream, and my mom wanted to make sure that I kept my family's roots by giving me a Norwegian last name. Which I have to admit I'm glad she did, because I love learning about old Norse history and mythology, and having such a unique name in the U.S. where half the guys in my class had names like Smith made me stand out.

Though, my former friends thought I should change it. Apparently, my last name was too hard for them to remember or spell at times.

How that's even an issue, I still don't understand.

Whatever.

They're not my problem anymore, and good riddance to trash friends. Without them around, there's nothing left for me in California, and a whole wide world waiting for me in New York.

- New York City -

I have to say, the culture shock of moving from a spread-out suburban area like California, to a tightly-packed urbanized city like New York City takes some getting used to.

Getting a place in one of the high-rises has to be one of the best apartments I've ever lived in. After being here for a week, the view out my windows showing New York in all its glory still takes my breath away.

One of the nice things about working in Computer Science, is that I can work from home whenever I want and really get a feel for the place without having to rush straight to the office. Because figuring out how to move around NY is no joke; trying to drive through traffic is an obvious no-go, and driving something like a bike is a quick way to getting into an accident.

So I've taken to using the subway as my main means of transportation.

Which is where things took a turn from the ordinary, into the extraordinary.

- May 4th, 2012 -

-Ben-

Glancing down at my phone, I double-check the time before looking around at the subway car that I'm in. Sure enough, on the screen it reads '12:00 pm'.

Nodding to myself at having read the time properly, I frown as my eyes roam around the deserted subway platform, waiting for the subway to arrive at any minute. The only other person besides me standing on the platform waiting for the subway to arrive, is an old man who acts as if there's nothing strange.

Now, I've only been in New York for a week, but even I can tell that the subway shouldn't be empty in the middle of the day. 'Something is very, very wrong here.'

Before I can turn around and head back over to the ticket area, the sound of the subway rolling across the tracks just beyond the tunnel draws my attention away. Waiting for it to come to a stop, I slowly walk into one of the train cars with the old man following right behind me.

Seeing that there's no one else in the car besides the two of us, I get a very real sensation that something is definitely not right.

I can maybe understand there not being anyone waiting to get on the subway. But for no one to be getting off it as well? Na-ah.

Turning to the old man sitting a few seats to my left, who seems to be not even remotely surprised by the strange events, I ask him cautiously. "Excuse me…"

"Yes?" He replies, turning his head to the right with a smile. "Did you need something?"

"Yeah…" I take a second look around the train car as the doors begin to close. "I was just wondering…Is it usually this empty at this time of the day?" As I ask the question, the train begins to move from the platform.

Instead of replying to my question, the old man asks his own. "First time in New York, huh?" Smiling knowingly as I nod, he replies. "Don't worry about it, kiddo. Stranger things happen all the time in this city! Maybe we just got lucky and missed the crowds?"

Feeling slightly relieved at his response, I settle back into my seat with a sigh as the train moves through the underground tunnels.

Normally someone would be nervous about being alone in a closed off train car with a stranger, but as a guy who's 6'6" and relatively built like a wrestler, I'm not all that worried about what an old man might try to do. Worst comes to worst, he's close enough that I can get to him before he can try anything crazy.

The slight jostling and bumps from the tracks get a little heavier as we go through a darker part of the tunnel that doesn't seem to have any working lights.

For a brief moment, I worry about the lack of sight and the rougher ride. But that worry fades as the darkness quickly passes once we enter a lit portion of the tunnels. The voice on the train's speakers announcing that we've almost reached our destination. Glancing back at the old man, he smiles at me reassuringly as the train slows down.

"Welp, kiddo! Hope you enjoy yourself in the big city!" The old man exclaims from his seat as he watches me get up. "Don't forget! Even in a place as big as New York, one person can always make a difference!"

Smiling politely to him, I wave goodbye as I step off the train, relieved to see the platform crowded with people who rush onboard as soon as I get off.

"One more thing!" The old man's voice calls out to me from behind.

Pausing in front of the steps leading away from the platform, I turn around to look at the train as the doors slowly start to close.

The old man is no longer sits in one of the seats, but is now standing right in the middle of the train car surrounded by the other passengers. His eyes stare straight at me with a wide smile on his face, calling out a single word as the doors close. "Excelsior!"

'What the fuck!' As soon as the doors closed in front of him, for the briefest of moments I catch his face change from a nondescript old man to that of a very familiar celebrity's before the train speeds off down the tunnels.

'I…what?!' Shock, surprise, and more than a little confusion show on my face as I stare at the empty spot where the old man stood. The slowly fading sound of the train rolling down the tracks echoing in my eyes as I try unsuccessfully to understand what just happened.

'That couldn't have been. There's no way tha-…wa-was that…Stan Lee?!'

I know for a fact that the old man I was speaking to while sitting on the train did not look anything like my childhood idol. But the brief glimpse of his face through the train's windows before it left the platform definitely looked like the creator of Marvel. '…weird.'

Trying not to let myself get too spooked out, I shrug it off as best as I can while walking up the steps leading out of the subway station. The noise of the city filling my ears as I step out onto a particularly busy street. The honking, yelling, and everything else that makes up the daily ambiance of New York does wonders to calm my nerves as I walk down the street.

Acting every bit like a tourist, my head moves like it's on a swivel as I try to take in everything going on around me. Noticing quite curiously that there's more than a few billboards and pamphlets all over the city with pictures of Iron Man on them and the name Stark printed in bright red and gold colors.

'Huh, I didn't realize there was a Marvel movie coming out.' Boy, I haven't seen a Marvel movie in quite some time. After seeing Endgame, I quickly found myself bogged down by work and haven't had the chance to catch any of the new ones.

I remember taking time off to go see Eternals -because I wasn't about to miss out on Angelina Jolie and the guys from Game of Thrones- but besides that I've been pretty out of the loop. It's kind of depressing to think about actually, because I used to be a massive Marvel fan and knew everything there is to know about the universe.

Now, a lot of the stuff from the movies that I used to know by heart has gotten spotty and less accurate. 'Maybe I can take the weekend and re-watch some of them? Or maybe even find a theater near my place and go see the latest one that's out.'

Pulling out my phone, I try surfing the web for any information on the latest marvel movies to come out, only to start noticing something strange.

First of all, the date on my phone is completely wrong, it's showing the date as being May 4th, 2012. When it should be showing October 17th, 2021. Also, there's no mention of anything Marvel on the internet; the closest thing I can find is a reference to a comic book store with…oddly enough…DC comics featuring Superman and Captain Marvel.

There's no mention of the Carol Danvers version of Captain Marvel, just the Billy Batson version that also goes by the name Shazam.

'Okay, this is starting to get really weird.' Feeling my heart start to beat a little faster as my nervousness kicks in, I quickly spot a nearby coffee shop and grab the first available seat inside that I can find.

Typing away furiously at my phone, I look up everything I can remember about Marvel. Starting with the names of the iconic superheroes like Iron Man and Captain America.

'No…No, this can't be right.' Instead of links to articles and websites talking about the creation of them and their portrayals in cinema, all of the websites I can find speak about the characters as if they're real.

And then, I find a link that'll show a GPS route directly to Stark Tower.

Desperate at this point for something to be fake, I press the link and watch with mounting horror as my phone opens up the GPS app and shows the quickest route to an icon labeled "Stark Tower".

Scrambling out of my seat and rushing out the coffee shot, I ignore the glances people throw my way as I race down the streets following the GPS's directions. The closer I get to the dot on the man, the more I can feel my heart speeding up. Praying with every step to all the gods that are listening for this to be some sort of hox or an attraction built for the latest Marvel movie.

Stopping at the corner of a street, I pant laboriously as the GPS indicates that Stark Tower is down the next street and should now be within sight.

Remembering the strange conversation I had with the old man on the subway, a sense of foreboding washes over me as I feel my face paling at the sight of the massive tower standing out amidst the New York skyscrapers. The name written on the side of it is like a punch to the gut, and I struggle to breathe as I read and re-read the five letters that bring my whole world crashing down around me.

Stark

'That's impossible. It's not possible for this to be here! It can't be real!'

I've read about things like this, where someone ends up within a different universe that brings to life a book or movie they once read or saw. But those were just stories. Pieces of fiction written by those who wish to escape their own lives and explore the fast universes written down in books or shown on movie screens.

This, though…this isn't fiction.

This is real.

'Holy. Fucking. Shit…'

Staring at the uniquely shaped Stark Tower while my mind struggles to understand what's happening, a sudden sound draws my attention as a bright pillar of sapphire-blue light shoots into the sky from atop the building. Causing a whole new feeling within me that overrides my shock. Terror.

Because I know understand exactly why my phone shows the wrong date.

I haven't just appeared in the Marvel Universe. I've also traveled back in time to possibly the worst moment for someone to have shown up in; the very moment the Chitauri Invasion of New York begins.

There's a moment of silence following the portals opening as metal chariots come falling out of it, only to be met head-on by a single red and gold suit of armor that begins opening fire on the invaders. Filling sky between the tower and the portal with explosions of smoke and fire as Iron Man faces off against the Chitauri's vanguard.

Watching in horror as an of metal chariots comes swarming out of the massive dimensional portal in numbers too vast for one man in a suit of armor to handle alone, I hear dozens of screams from people around me as the Chitauri descend on the streets. Bolts of energy rain down from above, causing cars to explode and killing innocent bystanders too slow to get away.

The moment the first few people are killed as exploding cars send debris flying all over, everyone immediately realizes what's going on as a full-blown, city-wide panic ensues.

A sharp pain in my ear as a woman to my right screams before running away manages to knock some sense into me. And just in time to dive against the side of a nearby building as a Chitauri chariot blasts a nearby parked taxi. Sending a cloud of smoke into the air and causing a shower of dirt to fall on my face.

Feeling my adrenaline spiking as the stench of burning rubber fills my nostrils, and the smoke and flames from the wreckage around me stings my eyes, I force my body into moving as I run in the opposite direction of Stark Tower.

As much as I want to jump into the fighting and try to secure my place among the Avengers, I'm more likely to get killed within moments of reaching the main action.

I don't have any sort of powers -that I know of- and my skills in fighting are basically non-existent beyond some wrestling that I did in college. Which makes me nothing more than a liability as long as I'm out here where the Chitauri can get me.

'I've got to get away from here.' Running as fast as I can away from Stark Tower, I follow as many groups of people trying to escape as I can, moving with them as everyone tries to find somewhere that's safe. I have no idea where I'm going, or which part of New York City I'm in, all I know is that I need to get away from here.

A tall order, considering the Chitauri are not only flying overheard but also dropping foot soldiers on the ground that spread out into the buildings and streets.

Many of the people who formerly ran with me in the groups fleeing would make a beeline for one of the buildings, only to wind up getting captured as a Chitauri squad follows them inside. The Chitauri are actually playing things smart by not immediately picking up a straggler and instead waiting for them to find others before moving in.

Hearing the roar of machine gun fire overhead, I briefly glance up to see a silver aircraft shaped like a bird flying straight towards Stark Tower. It's forward-facing gun moving down multiple Chitauri chariots that try to intercept it unsuccessfully.

'Finally, they're here.'

Of what little I can remember from the first Avenger's movie, Tony gripes at the others for taking so long to reach New York from the Helicarrier. And seeing as the invasion has been going on now for well over 15 minutes, I have to say I agree with him on their tardiness. 'Better late than never, I guess.'

Feeling no small amount of relief that the rest of the Avengers have arrived; I lay low in one of the side streets just off the main road.

Using one the more residential area as a safe spot to try and get a small moment of rest, I struggle to get my breathing under control after running in a zig-zag pattern between streets to try and stay out of sight.

With the Chitauri focusing most of their forces on the main streets around the portal, the number of chariots flying overhead have dwindled to just the odd lone patroller now.

"Fuck!" I pant out, spitting on the ground and grimacing at its red color.

In my attempts to move from the cover of one building to the other earlier on, I ended up moving close enough to a stray shot from one of the chariots that I got hit by the backlash. The explosion upon its impact with the ground threw me several feet backwards like a ragdoll before hitting the ground roughly.

Too roughly it seems, if the pain I'm feeling throughout my body is anything to go by.

A few buildings away from me, I spot another group of people trying to run for it. One of the men dressed in a business suit waves the group he's leading in a particular direction as he shouts. "Quickly! I can see the police just a block away!"

Following where he's pointing with my eyes, I notice a line of flashing lights where a blockade of police cars attempts to set up a perimeter. The sound of explosions and gun fire had been muffling the noise of their sirens; but now that the fighting has pulled back, I can just faintly make out their sound.

As I go to get up and follow after the group, I pause as soon as my eyes land on the building directly across the street from me.

'Wait…is that?' Glancing back at the group moving further away, I decide to take a gamble and check out the building first.

I almost didn't even notice the building when I first got here, but now that I'm somewhat calmer and my adrenaline is no longer spiking, I start to recognize the exterior of the building. More specifically, the uniquely shaped circular window on the top floor of the building.

Walking up to the steps of the building while keeping an eye in the sky for any Chitauri, I read the sign on the side of the building next to the door.

177A Bleecker Street.

"Holy shit!" I gasp out loud, taking a step back and glancing up at the top window against before rereading the sign. 'This is the New York Sanctum!'

This has to be a sign, right?

Not only did I appear in the Marvel Universe. I've now somehow ended up directly in front of the one place that can not only give me answers as to how I got here, but can also teach me how to wield magic! As if I can pass up an opportunity like this.

Knock knock!

Rapping my knuckles against the door, I keep glancing over my shoulder to make sure no Chitauri are coming as I cross my fingers and hope that someone opens the door.

"Yes?" A woman's voice asks calmly, causing me to jump in shock at the suddenness of it. Seeing as I was too busy looking behind me to notice the door opening. "Can I help you?"

Turning to face the person, my eyes widen as soon as I see just who it is standing before me.

"Y-You!" Stuttering out a jumbled smattering of words, I stare at the bald-headed woman standing before me in golden-yellow robes with a serene look on her face that seems utterly out of place amidst an alien invasion. The scars littering her bald head and arms proudly displayed as badges of honor from battles likely beyond my understanding.

Around her neck, drawing my gaze despite my best efforts, is the Eye of Agamotto. A necklace created to contain and control the power of an Infinity Stone. A fragment of creation based upon a universal concept: Time.

Realizing that I'm making a fool of myself with my staring while in front of the fucking Sorcerer Supreme, I quickly shove down my shock as I start rambling. "I'm really sorry to barge in on you like this. But with an alien invasion going on and everything, I was really hoping to speak privately with you about a lot of things. Not the least of which being the completely bizarre turn of events that've apparently landed me in a completely different universe."

By the time I finish my rambled speech and take a breath, the Ancient One's face has gone through several minor reactions to my words. From amusement, to repairing a polite refusal at his entrance, to shock.

"Forgive me," She speaks up, her eyes staring piercingly into my own like they're reading my very soul as she asks with a raised eyebrow. "Did you just say, you're from another universe?"

Now, some might say it's stupid to be telling someone about coming from another universe. And if this was anyone else I was speaking to, I'd absolutely agree with you. But this is the Ancient One; the Sorcerer Supreme who taught Stephen Strange, and the one who knows perhaps more about dimensions, universes, and realities than anyone else on Earth.

If anyone could figure out what the hell is going on, and help me make sense of it all, it'd be her.

"I did." Nodding my head, I glance over my shoulder fearfully as a tremendous roar echoes throughout the city. The sound unlike that of the Chitauri or their Leviathan creatures. 'Was that the Hulk?'

Turning back to the Ancient One, she continues to stare into my eyes silently before glancing over my shoulder as several more roars can be heard in the distance. Apparently reaching her decision, she steps back into the building and holds the door open for me. "Come inside. Quickly."

Curious to know what caused her sudden decision, I almost wish I hadn't turned around as I watch a second, larger swarm of Chitauri chariots and Leviathans descend from the portal.

As the first way of reinforcements spread out into the city, a massive bolt of lightning surges from one of the nearby skyscrapers and slams into the invaders. Creating massive explosions along the portal's perimeter as the lightning pushes back on the ones trying to come through.

'Fuck. That.'

I think I've seen enough alien invasion for one day.

Quickly stepping into the New York Sanctum as the Ancient One closes the door behind me, the sound of explosions and roars comes to a dead stop as soon as it shuts. Allowing me for the first time to recognize that my ears are still ringing from the explosion earlier, and that my breathing is coming out with a small rasp.

Feeling safe for the first time since the portal opened, I let out a soft, pained groan as my aching body finally begins to protest all of the stress I've put it under.

"You wouldn't happen to have some painkillers, would you?" I ask with a grimace, drawing the Ancient One's attention away from the door as she looks at me curiously. "I took a bad hit from one of the explosions earlier, and think I busted something."

"You do realize that this is not a hospital, correct?" She replies.

Sighing, I nod. "Yes. But as the Masters of the Mystic Arts, I'm betting you have some form of healing medicine or magic spell. Right?"

"You are surprisingly well informed." The Ancient One muses, motioning me further into the building. "And you are correct. I can examine your wounds and see what we can do to fix them. Follow me."

Walking through one of the side doors on either side of the grand staircase, I try not to freak out at the fact I'm walking in the fucking New York Sanctum with the Ancient One herself!

My inner geek is having a field day right now. And it takes all my self-control not to start rattling off question after question while following her golden-yellow robed form down a long hallway. Bypassing several doors before we arrive at one that she opens.

"In here, please." She leads me into the room.

The room is similar to the rest of the building, with dark wood floors and several antique pieces of furniture which I'm betting has been here since the time they weren't referred to as antiques. The many windows lining one side of the room look out onto one of the side streets, filling the room with a soft light that illuminates a small row of medical beds.

Along the other walls framing either side of the beds, several long cabinets filled with all sorts of bottles, jars, and ingredients line the walls and shelves.

"Now then, this will just take a moment." She states without preamble, making a quick motion with her hands before a fiery-orange energy sparks to life around her wrists in glowing holographic bands made up of symbols.

'Oh my god…that's magic!' I remember seeing Doctor Strange for the first time in the movie theaters and thinking how cool the Mystic Arts looked on screen. But in person? They're so much cooler! 'Focus!'

Waving her hand from the top of my head down towards my stomach as I stand straight, she seems to read something that can't be seen to the naked eye before ultimately giving a single nod. "Yes…It seems that you have some internal bruising from what looks to be a rather nasty spill."

With her check complete, the Ancient One dispels the glowing eldritch bands around her wrists as she makes her way over to one of the cabinets. "Not to worry! All it will take is a rather simple remedy, and you should feel better in the morning after a good night's rest."

The ease in which she determined my injuries and a way to fix them, as well as the nonchalant way in which she speaks about them, does wonders to calm my nerves. There's no rush in her step, or haste in her movements as she begins pulling down ingredients from the upper cabinets to begin mixing into a bowl. Nothing that could indicate my wounds are anything more than what she says they are.

I was more than a bit concerned that I've been spitting blood, but if it's something she doesn't seem to be worried about then it can't be too bad.

After all, despite the mysterious otherworldly feel she gives off and the calm, detached manner in which she speaks; the Ancient One is still a good person who tries to do her best to help those who come to her.

If the movie is anything to go by -and I'm praying it is with how similar the invasion seemed to be to its cinematic portrayal- then the 700-year-old woman currently mixing together some kind of remedy is likely the only potential friend I have in this new universe.

'And isn't that a sad thought.' After losing my parents, I tried to stick around my former friends for as long as I could so that I wouldn't feel alone. But after realizing that their attitudes weren't what I wanted to surround myself with, I quickly found myself alone.

That, more than anything, is what pushed me to leave California behind and travel across the country.

I didn't want to be alone anymore.

"Here you are." The Ancient One's voice pulls me out of my memories, apparently having already finished with the remedy and moved back in front of me without my realizing it. "Drink up."

Staring down at the cup filled with some type of green liquid, that looks more like one of those wheatgrass drinks that used to be so popular in California, I grimace at the contents before downing it as quickly as I can. The liquid pours down my throat like sludge, and taste is as awful as I expected it to be.

"Gah! Ugh, that's foul." Swallowing down the contents, I cough as soon as it passes my throat. Wiping the remaining bits on my lip with the back of my hand, I pass the cup back to the Ancient One.

Chuckling at the face I made after drinking her remedy, she smiles kindly at me before she places the cup back on the cabinet's countertop. "Apologies…sometimes it's the best medicines that are the hardest to swallow."

Wow, she really does do the whole ancient wisdom quotes and metaphors that you always see teachers and elderly magic users do in movies.

"Forgive me, but I don't think I caught your name." She asks pointedly.

Ah, right…forgot about that in all the craziness.

"It's Benjamin. Benjamin Magnusson, ma'am. But most people just call me Ben." I reply as politely as I can, reaching up to scratch the back of my head awkwardly. A nervous tick I developed as a child that I never quite seem to be able to rid myself of when in the presence of those above me.

With my height and bulkier frame, I practically tower over the Tilda Swinton look-alike even though she's taller than most women. Yet, somehow, she seems to exude a presence that dwarfs my own; enough to make me instinctively act deferential to her.

"Well, Ben. I must admit I was very curious to hear you say that you're from another universe. After all, that's not usually something you hear be casually mentioned." She states, not at all bothered by the height difference as she looks me in the eye. "But my scans confirmed that you are not from this dimension, at least not from this Earth."

Breathing a relieved sigh that she doesn't think I'm crazy, my relief becomes short lived as she continues. "But that still does not explain how you got here. Or why you came to my doorstep."

So I tell her; I tell her everything.

Everything from the moment I made the decision to leave Southern California behind, to my arrival in New York, to the weird subway ride I had that brought me into the Marvel Universe. I leave nothing out in my long-winded explanation. Even explaining that where I come from, all of this is nothing more than fiction.

It might be telling her too much, but I need to vent my frustrations and unload all of the bottled-up emotions swirling around inside me before I have a breakdown.

Something the Ancient One seems to understand as she just stands there and takes it all with the same calm expression on her face. At one point even making us both a cup of tea and bringing over two chairs for us to down on.

When I finish, I find myself out of breath again and need a moment to calm down.

As I take several deep breaths and sip on the -remarkably delicious- tea, she finally breaks her silence to speak softly. "I see...I'm so sorry that you've had to go through such troubling times, Ben. This must have been quite the trying experience for you."

While it's not much, the small gesture is enough to bring a soft smile on my face in thanks. For the tea, for listening, and for offering her sympathies.

"But what is it you hope to gain by coming here? While I know more than my fair share about dimensional travel, I'm sorry to say I know very little about travelling to other universes altogether." She explains, dashing my hopes for answers as gently as she could.

Shrugging my shoulders helplessly, I reply. "I don't know…I was hoping to find answers, maybe even a way home. Now I guess I need to find some way to live."

At the thought of how shitty my luck has been, I chuckle ruefully. "All I wanted to do was to move to New York and start my life over. Maybe even make some friends…fall in love. Find a place where I can belong."

"While I don't think you should give up so easily," The Ancient One states after taking a small sip from her cup, drawing my gaze away from staring listlessly in a random direction. "You are welcome to join us at Kamar-Taj. Though I know many of its secrets, there's always a chance you might find something that could help you within our library."

Shock runs through me at her offer. I hoped beyond hope to get into the Masters of the Mystic Arts when I first knocked on the door; but with how everything has been going, I figured that was also going to be another impossibility.

Seeing the look on my face, she adds. "That is, of course…if you wish to join us."

If I want to join them? You mean join one of the only places that can teach me to wield magic, and have access to resources and knowledge I wouldn't be able to find anywhere else? Of course, I do!

"Y-Yes!" I stutter out, feeling my face stretch into a bright smile as my head nods emphatically. "I-I would be honored to join the Masters of the Mystic Arts."

"It will be hard work." She warns. Her intent not to dissuade me, but to leave no delusions about it being an easy task. "The expectations placed upon you will be demanding, and more than a few have joined our order only to fall short of the dreams they envisioned for themselves. I do not want you to lose hope or deter you from joining, but I also do not want you to agree under preconceived misconceptions."

A reasonable thought, and I appreciate the gesture.

But there's no other choice for me, is there? Outside of joining them, I really don't have a chance of finding a life for myself in this world. There are too many enemies out there with unbelievable powers just waiting to kill off innocent bystanders in their struggle to take over this world.

The entire country of Sokovia is a perfect example of how badly the ramifications are in not being able to defend yourself against such forces.

And that's to say nothing about Thanos the Mad Titan, and his plans to wipe out half of all living beings.

Which leads me to the real question I have to ask myself: Do I want to become a superhero?

The life of one is fraught with danger, and I'm under no delusions that I'll turn out to be as strong as someone like Doctor Strange who can face anything thrown his way.

I've got no perfect memory like he has, and as the future successor to the Ancient One he obviously will have access to knowledge and special privileges that I won't. Which means that the likelihood of my imminent death is a much more realistic probability compared to his.

And with others like Wanda Maximoff and Loki running around who have more magical power and talent in their pinky than I can even comprehend, is there even a reason for me to try and make a name for myself in this universe?

Wouldn't it be safer to stick to the background and life out a normal life as far away from danger as I can try to get?

Feeling my self-doubts start to take hold over me, a recent memory from earlier forces its way to the forefront of my thoughts.

"Even in a place as big as New York, one person can always make a difference." I mumble quietly to myself, remembering the words that the old man said to me on the subway.

Though I meant to say it to myself, the Ancient One hears me clearly and nods in agreement. "A rather apt phrase, if I might say so. Not everyone becomes great, not everyone needs to find greatness. Sometimes it's enough to do the best that one can, and enjoy the few moments of happiness we are blessed enough to have."

Well shit. If that doesn't fill me with a renewed sense of purpose. 'Not exactly Braveheart, but I'll take it.'

Staring at her with a determined look, my voice comes out strong and steady. A far cry from how it's sounded before. "Then…if you'll have me. I would be honored to join the Masters of the Mystic Arts."

Clapping her hands with a pleased look on her face, the Ancient One replies. "Wonderful!"

Knock knock!

At the sound of someone's knuckles gently knocking on the door to the medical room, the Ancient One and I turn our heads towards the opening door as a bald, muscular, dark-skinned man in yellow and black robes steps into the room.

"Ah, Master Drumm! Right on time…" The Ancient One greets, looking back to me with a smile. "Ben, I'd like you to meet Master Daniel Drumm. He's the guardian and Master of the New York Sanctum, and one of the many teachers at Kamar-Taj."

Getting up from her seat and placing her empty tea cup on her chair, I follow her actions as she turns to face the new arrival. "Master Drumm, if you would be so kind as to lead young Ben here to the portal to Kamar-Taj. I will remain here and keep an eye on the events unfolding outside until you return."

Bowing respectfully to his leader, the man looks me up and down as if judging my worth with a sharp look in his eye. Whatever he sees, it's enough for him to not say anything as he motions for me to follow.

"Wait…" I blink as a sudden thought occurs to me. "Did you know I was going to come here? That I'd accept your offer?"

There's no way that she could have timed it so perfectly for this new guy to arrive just as our conversation ends, unless she already knew how it was going to go. And a quick glance at the Time Stone hanging around her neck gives me more than an inkling that that's exactly the case.

"Perhaps." The Ancient One smiles mysteriously, seeing my eyes glance at the necklace. "While I don't know how it is you came to be here. I did sense your arrival in our universe, and took a peek at the new changes your arrival has brought to our world."

"Plus…I had to see you for myself." She shrugs. "Get the measure of you. See if you are the same young man I thought you were. I may not be all-knowing, but I am the Sorcerer Supreme of this world. And it is my duty to protect it from all interdimensional -and sometimes universal- threats that appear."

I can already tell that her ability to see into the past and future is going to be a pain in the ass to deal with. Because how can one ever hope to keep something from someone who can just rewind or fast forward time to figure out the truth?

Still, I chuckle in amusement at having been outplayed from the very beginning.

I never once even realized she knew who I was the entire time we've been speaking, and yet even knowing what she does the Ancient One still allowed me to vent and reveal what I know at my own pace.

Nodding in respect at a game well played, I turn to follow Master Drumm out of the medical room.

"And Ben…"

Pausing just before I exit the room, I glance back over my shoulder to see the Ancient One smiling warmly at me. For the first time showing a real emotion behind her usually calm façade.

"Welcome, to the Masters of the Mystic Arts."

- END -

Author Notes:

And that's Chapter 1!

So! This story is partially a practice run for some of my future Marvel stories that I have planned, so don't surprised if there's a few mistakes along the way.

A lot of the most recent stuff I've written has been Gamer fics, which have a different way of writing out the chapters and plotlines compared to a regular fan fiction story. And I need to get some more practice in before I begin writing the others that I'm excited to share with you all.

Also, I mentioned DC in this story because the Eternals movie makes a reference to Superman, so I added that little bit in there. While this story will heavily feature moments from the movies; there will be some plot points and ideas that I've cobbled together from the Marvel comics to fill in the gaps.

Hope you all are liking it so far! Thanks for checking out my story.