"Yes, magic is very real," Kakashi said.
Tony stared at him with wide eyes. He still looked like someone had just told him the sky was green.
"But you said you do not use magic," Tony argued back. He was still in shock. His voice had a small shake in it.
Kakashi stayed calm. "I do not. But someone else does."
Natasha leaned forward. She looked curious but not as shocked as Tony. "Are you saying magic like hiding cards or what?"
Kakashi shook his head. He spoke slowly so everyone could follow.
"No. Not tricks for shows. Real magic. Creating weapons out of pure energy. Making portals to other places or dimensions. Casting illusions that feel completely real. Performing rituals that can change the rules of the world. Traveling to other dimensions on purpose."
"Hunting down demons or vampires that try to enter our world. Binding spirits. Closing rifts that let dark things through. Seeing things that happened long ago or might happen soon. Healing wounds that normal medicine cannot touch. These things are real. People train for years to learn them. Some are born with the talent. Others discover it by accident. But it exists."
Tony rubbed his face with both hands. "So when you say magic, you mean actual spells. Not stage tricks. Not science I have not figured out yet. Actual magic."
Kakashi nodded. "Yes."
Tony let out a long sigh. "I liked my life better before I knew you, Kakashi."
He pointed at Kakashi with a tired finger. "First you show up with a giant blue energy warrior taller than most buildings. Then you make a black hole that only eats aliens. Then you rain lightning spears like Zeus got angry. And now you tell me magic is real. I need a vacation. And a drink. And maybe therapy."
Bruce looked thoughtful. He rubbed his chin. "If magic is real, then many things in science start to make sense in a new way. Energy manipulation without machines. Dimensional travel. It would explain a lot of old myths and legends."
Natasha crossed her arms. "I have seen strange things in my work. But this is next level. So there are people out there using magic every day, and we never knew?"
Kakashi explained more. "There is an organization called Kamar-Taj. It is hidden from normal people. They train sorcerers to protect Earth from mystical threats. Demons that try to cross over. Dark gods from other dimensions. Ancient curses that can destroy cities. They have protected this world for centuries. Most people never know they exist. They work in secret. They do not ask for thanks or money. They just do their job."
Kakashi explained a little more about Kamartaj.
Tony leaned back in his chair. "So there is a secret magic school somewhere. With wizards and spells. And they just sit there while aliens invade?"
Kakashi shook his head. "They deal with magic threats. The Chitauri were physical. They came through a portal made by technology, not magic. That is why they did not interfere. But they watch the mystical side of things very closely."
Bruce asked, "And this Ancient One is their leader?"
"Yes," Kakashi said. "She is the Sorcerer Supreme. She uses the Time Stone to see possible futures and protect the world from the worst ones."
Tony stared at the ceiling. "Time Stone. Magic school. Sorcerer Supreme. I need another drink."
Tony said, "So this Ancient One has one of the Infinity Stones. Like the one inside the Tesseract or the one Loki had in his scepter. And this stone allows her to see the future since it is the Time Stone. Through this she likely saw the universe destruction due to this Incursion. It is nothing too complicated."
There was a hint of sarcasm in Tony's tone at the end.
Bruce asked, "So she saw the incursion coming. And she told you."
"Yes," Kakashi said.
Tony rubbed his face again. "Well, I guess we do not have any choice but to go and save our universe. Traveling to another universe was not in my to-do list for this year. But well, neither was meeting a fucking ninja, fighting aliens and now knowing magic was real."
Bruce looked excited again. "Would there be our counterparts in the other reality?"
Kakashi answered. "I am not well versed with this stuff myself. You can ask your questions to the Ancient One. She would prepare our travel to the other universe as well as handle our return."
Tony leaned forward. "So there might be another me? Another genius billionaire playboy philanthropist? I need to meet him. Or her. I wonder if they have better hair."
Bruce smiled. "I wonder if the other me found a way to control the Hulk."
Natasha looked thoughtful. "And another me. I wonder what she is like."
Kakashi said, "From what I know, there might be other versions of you. Or you might not even exist. But ask her for further clarification."
Tony stood up. "I need to pack. And maybe build a new suit. One that works in other universes. What if they are still in stone age?"
Steve looked at Kakashi. "When do we leave?"
Kakashi said, "We have some time. We do not have to leave immediately. So prepare yourselves. I have not called the others because we need to leave people to protect Earth and handle Loki if he returns."
Tony walked toward the bar. "I need a drink."
Bruce followed him. "Count me in."
Cap and Natasha just looked thoughtful. They stood quietly, thinking about what was coming.
Kakashi was about to leave when he remembered something important.
"And uh, Tony, can you give me some tips about how to answer reporter questions? And any idea what questions they might ask? Fury has a press conference lined up for me as the leader of Avengers."
Tony stopped at the bar. He turned around slowly with a big grin.
"Oh, now you need my help? After dropping universe-ending bombshells? Sure, I can help. But you owe me."
Kakashi sighed. "What do you want?"
Tony poured two drinks. "First, you have to answer one question truthfully. What is under the mask? Just curious."
Kakashi stared at him.
Tony laughed. "Fine. Press conference tips. Rule one: keep it short. Reporters love soundbites. Rule two: smile. Even if you are lying through your teeth. Rule three: if they ask something hard, deflect with a joke or say it is classified. Rule four: never say 'no comment.' That makes them dig harder."
Kakashi listened carefully.
Tony continued. "They will ask about your powers. Say you trained hard and leave it at that. They will ask about the team. Say we work together to protect everyone. They will ask about the mask. Say it is part of the uniform. They will ask if you are human. Say yes. They will ask where you are from. Say Earth. Keep it simple. I would want the answers to some of the questions myself but well I don't think that you are going to answer them."
Kakashi nodded. "Sounds easy."
Tony smirked. "It is not. They will try to trip you up. Stay calm. Do not let them see you sweat. And whatever you do, do not mention magic. The world is not ready for that yet."
Kakashi thought about it. "I will keep that in mind."
Tony raised his glass. "Good luck, fearless leader. Try not to break the internet."
Kakashi gave a small nod and walked toward the door. The team watched him go.
-----Author Notes---------
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