Chapter 602 - A Discussion of Three Lives (2/2)
”I am sorry. He's a special case. He doesn't enjoy the interaction with any living being for that matter.”
”Aw! I always wanted to ask what he thought when his piss poured down instead of floating about...”
After a few moments of stunned silence, Nik extended, ”I am sure he was more busy aiming than thinking.”
His words were met with a deep nod from Ann as Nik sighed, ”I really want to have a private chat regarding the said assurance but before that, Gwen,” looking at the blonde and smiling widely, ”You need to know that you are not crazy... just reasonable with a crazy friend for a change.” Verbally jabbing at Kiara who wasn't even present, Nik continued, ”however, you shouldn't be the one to feel guilty for your reasoning. You can always choose to opt out of this kind of stuff. But these two are... real.” Nik shrugged at Gwenpool's exaggerated gesture before standing up. Nik just heard Strange's voice in his head, calling him out to the first floor.
”I'll come back in a jiffy,” Nik left as the apparent clone entertained the girls.
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As Nik walked up the flight of stairs, finally coming into contact with an even greater presence of energy Nik temporarily dubbed as Magic, until confirmed otherwise, he found his vision swim for a moment as the velvet carpet fluttered slightly and instantly, a door became visible with not a single structure constructed on the other side of the large wooden piece of furniture. ”Please enter,” A calm voice interrupted Nik's line of thought and invited him cordially. With no knobs to twist and push, Nik pressed his hand and pushed open the door, revealing the sight of traditional bed chambers with Strange sitting on the bed with his legs crossed and his brows knotted in concentration. Sweat trickled down his forehead while green runic chains moved around him, turning the entire setting of the room a notch somber.
”This is an automatic countermeasure I set up before beings from other dimension began their attacks,” Strange spoke up, his eyes still closed as the chair in the rook moved on its own and stopped in front of Nik, turning to make sure that the moment Nik sat, he would face Doctor Strange. ”Oh, yeah,” Nik mumbled, sitting on the courteous chair, ”the things we do to deal with those disrespectful jerks,” he sounded unsure himself. After all, no sane person should ever expect a serious reply for— dealing with intergalactic monsters.
”You are a gifted individual, Mr. Minion,” Strange muttered, ”Not only physically and spiritually. But your mentality... it is a genuine surprise how a person of your caliber isn't determined to be more ambitious.”
”Like? Taking over the world?” Nik jested with an ill-humored chuckle, still controlling himself from sabotaging whatever Strange was doing. After all, the man touched him without permission... the consequence of a clone's action should be borne by the original, right?
”Exactly, like taking over the world. You'd be surprised by the sheer number of people who try the act after gaining powers,” Strange smiled despite his disheveled expression. ”I have been constantly repairing the fractures in space caused by your... how should I put it bluntly...”
”Saving people?” Nik stated.
”You can save them with that astounding physique of yours. After the first fracture into the mirror dimension, I have kept my tabs on you loosely and from what I can see... it seems training. The ever-changing manipulation into space without a set rule as if you are still finding your own method. Stop me if I'm wrong, but aside from the simple manipulation of space, you don't seem to be aware of the very fabric of reality and its various components.”
Not showing any indication of registering the information, Nik inquired in return, ”What do you mean by the components of reality?”
”The space surrounding us is not comprised of a single one but an infinity number of overlaps,” Strange's body suddenly shook as he spoke hastily, ”I need to focus in a bit. This will take time. I meant to talk with you personally to show my sincerity. You can learn the rest from the clone downstairs. And please, be careful with your ability.” Strange cautioned once again as the room began to dissolve into a thin fog, leaving Nik in his sitting position without a chair beneath him. ”That's a cheap tactic. Others could fall and maybe even break a hip,” standing up with a snort, Nik looked at his surroundings. The presence of energy was almost suffocating but until now, Nik had not seen a single item contributing to this phenomenon.
”Could it be that there's a magical vein of sorts beneath the mansion? That would actually explain a lot,” muttering, Nik now found himself falling into a hole surrounded by a familiar orange glow and he landed right next to Anna, making everyone within the room exclaim except Strange as he crossed his legs and spoke up, ”When you are ready, visit me again and I will lead all of you into the spiritual realm and Nik,” turning to Nik the man conjured a book and passed it down to him from Anna and continued, ”This is a brief introduction of what we just discussed.”
With that, Strange sent everyone home despite Gwenpool's constant refusal. She didn't have a choice since she was instantly transported outside.
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Gwen wasn't actually willing to face her other selves alone at home but she didn't have a choice since Spider-Gwen and Gwenpool would begin dissipating. With a reluctant farewell to Nik and Ann, she left for home and slumped down on her bed promptly with her grunt echoing, ”I am sorry... again. You guys are away from your families and I... have been acting like a bitch who majored from the annoying academy.”
Snickering, Gwenpool jumped on top of Gwen's head as Gwen continued to press her head against the pillow. Winking at Spider-Gwen, Gwenpool continued, ”Homes are slightly overrated. I don't think Strange will ever let us back unless we solve our issues. How about we actually share with you who we really are? Hmm? All the secrets to superhero life!”
”And that''s why Reed Richards is better. He doesn't make me do stupid things.”
”Can he do magic?” Gwenpool scoffed, ”Magic is always cooler! Always!”
Slowly sitting up as Gwen helped Gwenpool stand on her palm, the blonde waited for her two other-selves to finally share their stories with her.
”How should I put it...” Spider-Gwen thought for a moment with her turn being the first one, ”A drum player turned superhero who fought supervillains, saved the city, had a squabble with dad, and then saved him. Had to fight off my friend and... it did not end well. In reality, my life had turned into a major screw up but... I am happy that it isn't the same for you,” Smiling at Gwen, Spider-Gwen continued, ”So please, if you can, always avoid entering into this dangerous business.”
”Hah?” Raising her eyebrow in annoyance, Gwenpool practically growled, ”Dangerous? I have no powers and I am still the best! What's with that look? I am! Anyway, the thing to know is that whatever you are, try to have fun and excitement,” Gwenpool advised.
”You are impossible!” Jumping at Gwenpool and shoving her down on the bed, Spider-Gwen sat on top of her and clutched on her dress, ”You don't get to brush off my actions and my suffering just because you think you are cooler!”
Well, that incoming punch was something Gwenpool didn't expect.