"Why find me for this?" Asked, puzzled.
Elder Sun showed confused expression. "They sent word saying only want see you. So just delivering invitation. Honestly, has nothing do with me."
Rubbed temples with headache. "What now? Another prophecy or something?"
Elder Sun placed envelope on table. "Details unclear. Just messenger. As for payment for asking make this trip—already gave flying sword. So naturally that's settled. Can think about it. Consider what want. Can discuss anything!"
Nodded. Getting response, Elder Sun didn't linger, disappeared from room.
Fingers tapped envelope on table few times. Looking at address, suddenly smiled. "Interesting. Experiments been going well lately anyway. Might as well take look."
Got up change clothes, prepare go out. Sunlight streamed through window, falling perfectly on envelope. Address clearly written: 177A Bleecker Street, Manhattan, New York.
Held parasol, walking from intersection. Paused at entrance of 165, looking at still-messy battle traces. Didn't pay attention, continued walking.
Soon spotted ancient building with circular glass window at top.
After confirming against envelope, put away parasol, walked toward door.
Before could knock, door creaked open. Glanced at it, didn't care, walked straight through open door into building.
Wooden floor creaked underfoot. Entering, saw wide staircase. Good-naturedly stood at stairs, waiting for owner appear.
After moment, golden sparks spun in front, quickly forming circular ring. Scenery behind ring didn't match hall at all. Behind portal sat someone in yellow monk's robe.
Wasn't afraid. Walked straight through portal to face monk.
"Welcome to Kamar-Taj. I'm Sorcerer Supreme, Ancient One." Monk said gently, pouring cup tea.
Only when Ancient One spoke realized she female. Surprised instant, immediately reacted, sitting properly across. "Hello, I'm Gemini Black. Can call Gemini."
After friendly conversation, no one knew what actually discussed. Could only see contentedly setting down cup, following Ancient One's guidance find successor, who'd reportedly locked himself in room for week.
Standing outside ancient door, knocked. "Hello, may come in?"
After long while, hoarse voice came from inside. "Go away! Have nothing say!"
Immediately laughed in anger. Came all this way just be shut out?
Immediately stepped back, drew wand, waved smoothly. How could ordinary door withstand spell? After loud bang, door completely vanished. Unpleasant smell from inside immediately spread out.
Followed with whirlwind charm. Hurricane instantly whipped up in room, sweeping out all decadent smell.
Only then walked in with disgusted face, looking at stunned Strange in corner. Somewhat surprised.
"Have we met?" Asked puzzled, feeling looked familiar.
Stephen Strange thought moment, suddenly remembering meeting years ago. "Yes! Girl who came with Iron Man see me!"
Suddenly understood. "So was you! Doctor, how end up like this!"
Stephen lowered head dejectedly, looking at scarred hands. "Can no longer be doctor."
Surveyed room, lightly tapping wand. Garbage in room immediately came alive, rushing toward trash can. Rags twisted bodies, jumping into automatically filled water buckets soak themselves, then cheerfully wiped everywhere.
Vanished door temporarily replaced by transfiguring wood fragments. Then conjured snacks, drinks, sitting in chair moved over, staring at Stephen with bright eyes. "Ready! Can start telling story!"
Stephen stunned by actions, not knowing whether complain or follow instructions tell story. Wait, story?!
Stephen compared combat abilities, immediately deflated, shrinking back. Began slowly recounting how after car accident hands destroyed. Searched countless methods heal them—scientific, mystical. Even tried get to magical state, but said had wait in line. After all, many more urgent cases. Hands didn't affect life, so refused with that reason.
Until found clues Kamar-Taj, witnessed another side world, passed various tests, learned spells. Just when resigned himself, Ancient One talked, telling initially blocked other mystical forces from treating precisely so he'd come here, learn everything about being mystic arts master.
"And then?" Asked with relish, eating snacks.
Stephen's heart caught again. So really just here watch show?
"Felt deceived. If hadn't blocked..." Stephen suddenly stopped.
"Did cause car accident?" Asked back.
Stephen shook head.
"Did deliberately ruin hands?" Asked again.
Stephen shook head again.
Brushed crumbs from hands. "Were indeed wrong not tell, but what owe—magical state's explanation wasn't dismissive, nor excuse. That's reality. Magical state in public view. Can't break rules for one person. Otherwise how could St. Mungo's function? Taught spells, showed world's truth. Think about why still here feeling sorry for yourself."
Stephen looked blankly. "I..."
Before could continue, spoke again. "Only thing did wrong was not telling tried block path to treatment. If hadn't said anything, would still happily using spells now?"
After pause, continued. "Hands can healed. And believe can heal yourself now. So now, face inner self, Doctor. Why haven't healed own hands? Go back ordinary world, be respected doctor again, earn more money than most make in lifetime."
Stephen completely stunned, not knowing what say.
Stood up, tapping wand at garbage created, vanishing it. Then transformed broken door back wood fragments. "Think through yourself, Doctor. Remember send bill for damages. Don't worry, will compensate."
With that, leisurely left, leaving only confused Stephen sitting on bed.
Visiting Ancient One again, said done all could. Rest depended on own thoughts. Ancient One expressed understanding, organizing collected ancient magic books to take. Personally opened portal—other side right at All-Purpose Shop door. Looked enviously at spell. Different systems, but really wanted learn. Portals much more comfortable than Apparition!
Back at shop, began transcribing books from Ancient One. Though systems differed, all about practicing mysterious magic. Definitely inspiration be gained.
Two weeks later, saw news in paper—report about yellow-robed monk falling from high building, dying despite rescue efforts.
Sighed, packed borrowed books, personally delivered to New York Sanctum. Stephen Strange, wearing red cloak, received. Neither said anything. After returned books, turned, left.
For next six months, stayed home, constantly experimenting, transcribing Kamar-Taj magic books. Until received Harry's letter, realized—Christmas again.
Quickly packing luggage, immediately set off for home.
From Ministry fireplace, angrily cast cleaning charm on self. How many times said it?! Could please clean this thing?!
Suddenly had idea. Didn't still owe payment? Their flying arks excellent transportation! Leaving Ministry stand on London streets, immediately called Sun Xiaoxiao. After stating request, Sun Xiaoxiao readily agreed. After all, compared to what helped accomplish, flying ark worth far less.
Satisfied, put away phone, Apparated to Potter Manor.
After spending warm Christmas, looked at Ginny holding second son, Albus Severus Potter, with complex expression. Wondered if Professor Snape knew about this.
Deciding pretend didn't know, said goodbye Harry, returned to shop. Since stopped operating publicly, Banner been hanging out with Newt, Hagrid, having worked out arrangement with Hulk—alternate days.
Ethan already moved Guardian base, even setting up lab there. With Tony's financial support, could research whatever liked.
Occasionally would eat at Parkers' shop. May specifically hired Chinese chef, focusing on authentic Chinese cuisine. Attracted almost all Chinese Americans in area, some Americans who loved Chinese food. Business excellent.
This peaceful life didn't last long before blew up crucible again.
Seeing Peter enter through window, scowled. "Think at this hour, good students should be in beds, not wandering around outside in weird costumes!"
Peter shrank neck. "Gemini, not looking for trouble. Really handled something!"
Looked sideways. "What happened?"
Peter began explaining what recently discovered.
He, Ned stopped bank robbery after school, but robbers' weapons nearly got hurt. Tracked robbers, found warehouse full such weapons. Barely stolen weapon core, planning take Guardian base. But then got dragged knowledge competition Washington. Core became unstable after X-ray exposure, blew up elevator there. Rushed change clothes, held elevator, saving all students inside.
Now evidence gone. Notified Tony, but Tony thought wasn't concern, very dismissive.
Listening Peter's long speech, just wanted doze off. Was 3 AM. Didn't know where Peter got so much energy.
"Since Tony said that, just leave him? You're just student!" Said, yawning.
Peter looked excitedly. "That won't work! Almost killed classmates! Tony's just brushing off! Think what discovered real problem! Willing help!"
Seeing Peter's excitement, wondered—Peter was Iron Man's die-hard fan. What had Tony done make so upset?
Thinking this, asked directly. Peter immediately stammered, not knowing what say.
Held forehead with headache. Why have counsel teenage boys? Own weren't this difficult back then!
In front Peter, called Tony on speakerphone, letting Peter hear conversation.
Tony had nothing hide. Said frankly hoped these kids wouldn't face such things. Should have carefree student lives, not get involved complex adult matters so early. Didn't understand grown-up complications, didn't want understand so soon. Of course, exception—grown up in honey pot.
Hanging up, looked at Peter with satisfaction. "Understand now? Still think doesn't care?"
Peter scratched head sheepishly. "Was wrong. Didn't know!"
Tapped Peter's head. "Late. Go home sleep. If really worried about what found, tell Tony directly. Know personality—love put armor on whole Earth. Anything wrong, take seriously."
Peter nodded vigorously, jumped straight out window.
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