Chapter 28: Because We're Friends.

More advance chapters on p@treon.com/Saintbarbido.

Got a new fic out:- James Bond in WW2.

-0-

-Kamar-Taj-

-General P.O.V-

After 10 minutes, following Michael's account of everything that happened in Dormammu's dimension, the silence was getting suffocating.

The tea in her porcelain cup had long gone cold, but The Ancient One continued sipping it loudly, her calm gaze fixed on Michael.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor of Kamar-Taj's private study, Michael absently stroked J'onn's furry head resting on his lap.

The Martian, in his dog form, exuded sadness, his droopy ears accentuating the guilt Michael suspected he felt.

Michael sighed heavily, breaking the silence.

"You know, if this is punishment for breaking the promise not to interfere with the timeline, you could just yell at me instead of slurping your tea so obnoxiously."

The Ancient One didn't answer immediately. She took another loud sip, setting her cup down with deliberate care.

"And what makes you think you've interfered with the timeline?" she asked, her expression neutral but her tone teasing.

Michael shrugged, his voice growing defensive. "Well, I kind of killed Kaecilius, Mordo, and Dormammu. I'm pretty sure those three were important to some... 'key events'."

The Ancient One frowned slightly, surprising him. "I don't recall ever asking you to make such a promise."

Michael blinked in confusion, before turning to look at his butler. "Is there something you forgot to tell me, buddy?"

The Martian's voice echoed telepathically in his mind.

("I may have... omitted certain details. There was a game of chess, with stakes. She lost. I won. As part of my apology for not helping you with Dormammu, I deleted her memory of that promise.")

Michael groaned, running a hand through his hair. "A game of chess? Seriously, J'onn?"

J'onn's mental tone held a twinge of guilt. ("I thought this would help attone for my inaction. My failure at letting you fight alone.")

Shaking his head, Michael looked back at The Ancient One. "You're really okay with all this? The deaths of your sorcerers? A... drastically altered timeline?"

The Ancient One's lips curved into a faint smile. "Mordo and Kaecilius had already chosen their path. Their betrayals were inevitable. As for the future, it is not set in stone. What happens is only preordained when viewed from the present."

Michael frowned. "But what about Strange? I took out three of his biggest obstacles. Won't that stunt his growth as Sorcerer Supreme?"

The Ancient One's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Stephen Strange is destined to be the greatest of all Sorcerer Supremes. His strength does not depend on Dormammu or the others. Their absence changes the how, but not the what."

Michael leaned back against the wall, exhaling sharply. "This is... not the conversation I thought we'd be having."

The Ancient One chuckled softly. "You're the strange one for expecting punishment after saving the world."

Her tone turned serious as she placed her teacup down. "But let us move to a more pressing matter. Do you know about the connection between myself and Dormammu?"

Michael tilted his head. "You mean how you've been drawing energy from the Dark Dimension to extend your life?"

The Ancient One sighed, her expression tinged with regret. "I had no choice. After my death, there would be no one ready to take my place. And the only worthy successor would not be born for hundreds of years."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Does Strange even know how much you've done for him?"

Her small smile returned. "Stephen knows what he must. That is all."

Michael leaned forward, an idea forming. "How about we strike a deal? I'll give you Dormammu's entire realm energy in exchange for the Time Stone."

The Ancient One's expression hardened. "Even if I were interested in prolonging my life further, Michael, the Time Stone is not mine to give."

Michael held up his hands. "Relax, I don't actually want the Time Stone. I just need to analyze its energy signature to understand how it works."

Still skeptical, The Ancient One regarded him silently.

Michael pressed on, his tone earnest. "Look, with everything that's happened, Strange won't be ready for what's coming. You 'need' to stay alive longer to prepare him if you won't fight yourself."

The Ancient One hesitated. "Even if I wanted to, my time has passed. The taint of the Dark Dimension spreads through my body. It cannot be stopped."

Michael smirked. "You don't have to worry about that. I've already purified the Dark Dimension. No more corruption, just benign cosmic energy. You can stay alive long enough to pass the mantle when Strange is ready—and then you can live your own life."

The Ancient One studied him carefully, her resolve wavering. "Why would you go to such lengths for me?"

Michael met her gaze, his voice soft but firm. "Because we're friends."

Her expression faltered, and for a moment, the centuries-old master looked vulnerable. "After so many years, I don't have many of those left," she whispered. "I am grateful you consider me one."

She turned to look out over Kamar-Taj, her eyes filled with nostalgia. "This life is all I've ever known... but the idea of living... truly living... sounds nice."

Michael smiled. "Then it's a deal."

He summoned a Hope-Eater construct, which vomited out a glowing sphere of purified cosmic energy. The Ancient One stared at it, awe and naked hunger flickering across her face.

"This is... immense," she whispered. "The life force contained within could power this planet for centuries—or destroy it in an instant."

Michael grinned, saying nothing about the hundreds of similar spheres he had stored away.

For the first time in centuries, The Ancient One allowed herself to dream of a life beyond her duties.

And for the first time in a long time, she felt hope.

-0-

-Michael's P.O.V-

The faint hum of the sling ring portal faded as I stepped into my quarters.

The familiar quiet I'd come to cherish over the weeks reigned serene.

But while the stillness of the room settled around me, my thoughts buzzed like static.

The Ancient One hadn't needed my help to absorb the purified cosmic energy. Watching her do it with such ease—her expression one of calm mastery—was a humbling reminder of just how formidable she truly was.

I couldn't help but feel relieved that J'onn had tampered with her memories. The idea of fighting her, of crossing someone I respected, didn't sit well with me.

"Thanks for the memory adjustment," I muttered, glancing down at J'onn, now coiled snugly around my neck in his serpent form. "I know I shouldn't be afraid of her, but I'm glad it didn't come to that."

The Martian hissed softly in response, lifting his head to meet my gaze. "You're stronger now than you realize, Michael. Even if every sorcerer in Kamar-Taj rose against you, you would still win. Easily."

I chuckled, brushing the underside of his scaled head with a finger. "You're not wrong. I've come a long way."

A flicker of light caught my eye, drawing my attention to the interface glowing in the air before me.

[Ghost Rider Template Progress: 92%]

The sight of it filled me with satisfaction. I could feel the change—my connection to the Rider's power had deepened. I extended my hand, and a small flame flickered to life above my palm.

It burned with a richer, more intense shade of blue than before, radiating a heat so fierce that even my reinforced quarters groaned under the strain.

J'onn hissed sharply, retreating into the folds of my collar. "Too much?" I teased, laughing as I waved the flame away.

He cautiously poked his head out, his dark eyes glinting with curiosity. "What happened to the Lantern ring?" he asked, his gaze shifting to my hand which only had the Enhanced Sling Ring.

"Oh you're going to love this..."

I smiled and closed my eyes. When I opened them again, a band of golden metal appeared around my forehead, its golden hue glinting in the dim light.

The insignia of the Yellow Lantern Corps shone at its center like a tiny sun.

"It's changed," J'onn murmured, his voice filled with awe. "Evolved. It looks like... a crown."

"Yeah," I agreed in pride, touching it lightly. "Personally it reminds me of the Monkey King's golden band."

"What can you do with it now?" he asked, coiling slightly tighter around my neck.

I grinned. "I haven't tested all of its abilities yet... but I've figured out one trick."

I focused, and a sword construct of brilliant yellow energy materialized in my hand. J'onn watched, his fascination growing as the light shifted.

The construct shimmered and solidified into a real blade of gleaming silver steel.

"You can make your constructs real?" J'onn exclaimed, his shock evident. "I've never heard of a Lantern who could do that!"

"Neither have I," I admitted, admiring the weapon before dismissing it with a flick of my wrist. "But I can feel there's more to this than I've unlocked. It's powerful... just not enough."

J'onn tilted his head. "Not enough?"

I leaned back against the wall, folding my arms. "It's not enough to bring them back. Until I have that power, I can't stop. Not yet."

J'onn didn't need to ask who I meant. He already knew about my family.

The Time Stone was my next target. Once I analyzed its energy, I'd be one step closer to the power I needed—the power to undo what had been done.

Turning to J'onn, I straightened. "Tomorrow, we leave Kamar-Taj. I've learned all I can here."

My Martian butler nodded silently, his unwavering support evident in his steady gaze.

It was time to move forward.