Strange's expression shifted repeatedly until he finally looked at Ryan and asked through gritted teeth, "I want to ask one thing: did the me in the other Universe end up with Christine?"
Ryan shook his head, suppressing a laugh. "Not at all. The you in the other Universe disappeared for several years due to an annihilation event that affected the entire Universe. By the time he returned, Christine had already walked down the aisle with another black man..."
"What?? Walked down the aisle with another black man!"
Strange's face darkened even further. At that moment, he felt that the version of himself in the other Universe had it even worse than he did now.
At least his Christine was just dead, rather than having cuckolded him...
Smack—
As a slap landed on the back of his head, Strange, who was caught between anger and relief, finally snapped back to his senses.
Having finished his persuasion, Ryan used the Space Stone to open a blue portal. He beckoned to Strange, unleashing his final trump card:
"Alright, stop dazing and let's go. Come with me to meet your new teacher. She has fought Dormammu for years; perhaps she knows how to save Christine..."
Strange:!!!
The Himalayas, Nepal, Kamar-Taj.
This Universe's holy land of magic welcomed two special guests today.
One was Earth's strongest Superhero who possessed a Kamar-Taj relic but was not a mage, Ryan Parker, the 'Spider Monarch'.
The other was Stephen Strange, a man without any superpowers who was destined to be the most outstanding Sorcerer Supreme of the future.
As the two stood before the gates of Kamar-Taj, Strange couldn't help but turn to look at the magnificent temple behind them, speaking in disbelief:
"Um, Mr. Parker, are you sure we haven't gone the wrong way? Are you sure that grand temple over there isn't Kamar-Taj?"
Ryan glanced at the magnificent temple across the way, then at the dilapidated old wooden door in front of him, and confirmed, "That's right, this is Kamar-Taj."
"Strange, let me teach you your first lesson upon entering the World of magic: don't be blinded by your eyes. What you see is not necessarily the truth..."
After saying these words with their double meaning, Ryan pushed open the weathered door of Kamar-Taj.
What lay behind that dilapidated wooden door was a completely different scene in Strange's eyes.
Within a cluster of ancient buildings surrounded by mist, mages were walking through the air, stepping out of golden portals, and practicing magic in the courtyard. It was truly the image of a holy land of magic!
As if he had known they were coming, a black mage was already waiting at the entrance.
Mordo smiled at the two. "Mr. Spider Monarch, Dr. Stephen Strange, welcome to Kamar-Taj. This way, please. Sorcerer Ancient One is already inside waiting for you."
With that, Mordo led the two deeper into Kamar-Taj.
Along the way, Strange kept staring at Mordo's back. Finally unable to contain himself, he whispered to Ryan, "Ryan, the black man you mentioned from the other Universe who ended up with Christine... it couldn't be him, could it?"
Ryan glanced at Strange and patted his shoulder. "Don't be silly. It's not him. That old black fellow wasn't even as handsome as this guy~"
Strange:...
I feel even worse now, brother...
Upon leading them to a building at the very center of Kamar-Taj, Master Mordo stopped and made a gesture for them to enter.
"Sorcerer Ancient One is inside. She wishes to see the two of you alone, so I will not be going in."
After speaking, Mordo gave them a polite smile and turned to leave.
Strange watched Mordo's retreating back, a small smile appearing on his face. "He seems quite easy to get along with. Looking at it this way, staying here to learn magic might not be such a bad thing."
Ryan looked at Mordo's back and nodded. "Yeah, he's quite good. I hope you can still say that when he's kicking your ass later on~"
Strange:?
Before he could ask why Mordo would be kicking his ass, Ryan had already taken the lead and walked into the building.
In the main hall of the building, the Ancient One had already brewed three cups of tea and was sitting at a table waiting for them.
Seeing this, Ryan didn't stand on ceremony at all. He plopped down opposite the Ancient One and, without even a greeting, picked up a teacup and drained it in one go.
"Another cup!"
The Ancient One wasn't at all annoyed by Ryan's rudeness. In fact, such behavior from Ryan made her feel more at ease and pleased.
She poured Ryan another cup, filling it seven-tenths full, before gesturing to the standing Strange. "Please sit, Dr. Stephen Strange. Let us drink and talk."
Hearing this, Strange sat down but didn't care for the tea. He hurriedly asked the question he cared about most: "Master Ancient One, Ryan said there is still hope to save Christine from Dormammu. Is that true?"
The Ancient One paused slightly, giving Ryan a deep look before turning back to Strange. "Yes. Those taken by Dormammu are generally not killed immediately; instead, they are converted into his followers. Theoretically, there is indeed a possibility of bringing her back..."
Receiving a definitive answer from the Ancient One, Strange grew even more excited. "I beg of you, Master Ancient One, please help me save Christine. As long as you can rescue her, I will do anything you ask!"
The Ancient One used the lid of her cup to gently brush aside the tea leaves, saying softly, "Actually, you don't need to beg me. Whether Christine can be saved has never depended on me. Although I can briefly resist Dormammu to prevent Earth from being consumed by darkness, I am not truly on the same level as Dormammu..."
"The one who can save Christine is actually yourself, Strange. You are the most outstanding Sorcerer Supreme among us across all timelines. Only when you become the Sorcerer Supreme, the Guardian of the Spiritual Plane, and join forces with the strongest Guardian of the Physical Plane, can you truly defeat Dormammu and... bring back Christine!"
"The strongest of the Spiritual and Physical—the two of you are both indispensable!"
Listening to the Ancient One's grand persuasion, Strange had an epiphany!
So that was it! No wonder the Ancient One appeared when he was in despair last night but didn't bring him directly back to Kamar-Taj, instead taking a detour to have him find the Spider Monarch of the Spider Family first. So that was the reason!
Because even if he became the Sorcerer Supreme of Kamar-Taj, he wouldn't be able to defeat the powerful Dormammu alone. He had to unite with the strongest hero of the physical World, the Spider Monarch!
This was the Ancient One's true, profound intent!
While the Ancient One and Ryan teamed up to fool Strange into becoming the Sorcerer Supreme as quickly as possible...
A familiar stranger had slipped into the Parker home that Ryan had just left.
Inside Ryan's room, a slender figure wearing a Ghost-Spider suit climbed in through the window.
Pressing her earpiece, she whispered, "Gravik, I've entered the target's room. You're sure the real Gwen Stacy isn't in New York right now, correct?"
On the other end, at a beach in England, Gravik glanced at the Stacy family vacationing on the sand. Staring at the figure with long blonde hair, he revealed a smile:
"Of course. I'm certain Gwen Stacy isn't in New York; she's right in front of my eyes. I'll keep her occupied so she has no time to contact Ryan Parker. Use this time to get close to him and complete your mission!"
With that, Gravik hung up the phone. His stature began to grow, and his features began to shift, quickly transforming into another person entirely.
He had become... the image of Ryan!
Having taken on Ryan's appearance, he walked with a confident smile toward Gwen, who had just landed in England last night for a family beach vacation.
Ryan Parker, you who were cold-blooded enough to kill so many of my kin... I wonder if your blood will boil when you find out your woman has been taken by me?