(1700hrs - 1800hrs)

As the clock ticked towards 1700 hours, I found myself in the heart of the Greenpoint Sanctum, seated in the Mystic Focus.

My relics, the Eye of Agamotto, the Cloak of Levitation, and the Sling Ring, rested nearby, their magical auras flickering like dying embers.

I had pushed them to their limits in my endeavor to create the Barrier of the Sanctorum, and now they needed time to recharge.

I closed my eyes and began to enter a deep meditative state, seeking to restore my own energy and connect with the mystical forces that surrounded me.

This was possible as the Sanctum was a place of power, reinforced with the barrier that now surrounded Greenpoint.

The events of the morning had been intense, as I had blended my comic book knowledge with my intuition as Doctor Strange to create the mystical Barrier.

It was a monumental achievement, but it had taken a toll on me, leaving me drained and in need of replenishment.

Outside, the world continued to go about its business, unaware of the supernatural defenses I had just erected.

Greenpoint was now cocooned in the protective embrace of the Barrier. I hoped that this would put an end to the constant incursions from the Marvel universe.

As I meditated, I sensed a presence lurking in the shadows. It was Manhunter, who had been observing my actions closely.

I couldn't discern his intentions, after all this time of spying on me. He had his own agenda, and I hoped that it would serve my purpose.

I hoped that he would tell the Justice League that I wasn't on a path to destruction, not wanting to clash with them this soon.

With my eyes still closed, I took deep breaths as I used to, drawing energy and building it up within me.

The mystic energies flowed around me, knitting together the frayed threads of my power. It was a slow and meticulous process, but one that was necessary for what lay ahead.

I wanted to take the next step and find a way to return back the misplaced people held in Zatanna's Mystic Prison.

That would probably include me since I didn't exactly come from this multiverse, but I felt that destiny had something more in store for me m.

Something that required my presence in DC, but not Marvel.

The Sanctum was calm, peaceful and quiet. In my stay here, I had occasionally heard people coming and going, sometimes staying for long, other times staying a while longer.

It seemed that it was an open place for everyone, with no one to exact the full control of this Sanctum.

Sometimes people made it to the Mystic Focus, where they gathered to meditate, and amplify their mystical energies.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

All who had come had one thing in common, they possessed an ability to do magic.

On this day however, the Sanctum was a quiet, silent place. Manhunter and I were the only two people who remained, as Zatanna had spent her day in her store, preparing herself for any upcoming threat that dared to step in her domain.

Manhunter and I barely talked a lot in the short time we were here.

I took it that it was because he wasn't one to make smalltalk, and because he kept a close watch on me, waiting to take action immediately if I showed any sign of deception.

It felt like sometimes I was walking on a delicate membrane in this world, that threatened to rupture and throw me into nothingness.

He didn't however acknowledge awareness of my absence in the morning after going out to get a laptop. If he did note that I wasn't in Greenpoint, he kept it to himself.

I had been meditating for a whole hour, reflecting within myself as I prepared myself for my next big task when something unexpected happened.

At precisely 1800 hours, a portal opened with a sense of haste and desperation into the Mystic Focus. I snapped out of my meditation, my senses instantly alert.

From the portal stumbled Zatanna, the powerful sorceress who had hosted me in this Sanctum. She appeared exhausted, her once-elegant attire torn and smudged with residue. She breathed heavily, each breath a laborious effort.

It seemed as if she had just come from a battle of a lifetime.

I rushed to her side, my concern overriding my own weariness. "Zatanna, what happened? Are you alright?" I asked, helping her to her feet.

She looked up at me with a mixture of relief and exhaustion. "Strange," she gasped, "I need your help. Someone powerful is coming...the portals, another opened up."

My heart sank as I realized that my plan to stop the portals in Greenpoint might have failed.

However, I didn't despair. The rifts had not been completely sealed, and my work was far from over.

I steadied Zatanna as she swayed on her feet. She had clearly been through a harrowing ordeal, and we couldn't afford to waste any time. "Where did it happen? J'onn and I will remedy the situation."

"Just outside Greenpoint. I felt your barrier. It worked, but it just changed the focal point." She started. "The man-, the beast said he was looking for something. He had something on his hand. I tried to use all my magic, but it was no use against him. He is too powerful."

I wondered who from the Marvel Multiverse it could be. My body was exhausted, and so was my use of magic.

But still, something that required my immediate attention and action was happening, and I needed to act quickly, my instincts kicking in.

Manhunter, who had been silently observing, stepped forward. "Let's go, I can help," he stated, his voice filled with an air of authority. "But I'll also ask for help from the Justice League. If he was strong to overpower Zatanna, we should take precautions."

I nodded, understanding what he meant. I had my suspicions, but hoped that it wasn't any of the people that came to mind.

"I'll just, quickly, get a relic from the shop first to help me amplify my magic, then I'll take you to the scene." Zatanna added as the power she drew from the Mystic Focus rejuvenated her.

With a nod, I followed her as she opened a portal to her store, Zatanna's Mystical Parlor. The portal shimmered with magical energy, and we stepped through.

Inside the store, Zatanna moved with purpose, swiftly gathering the relics we would need.

First, she retrieved the Amulet of Anubis, a pendant with a shimmering blue gem at its center. It was an ancient Egyptian relic with the ability to amplify elemental magic abilities. She kept this to herself.

She already possessed the Magician's Wand, a slender wooden wand carved with intricate symbols. She used this to manipulate reality and reshape mystical energies. Zatanna's fingers gripped it with familiarity.

Next, she retrieved the Book of Zatara from a locked cabinet. It was a tome of immense power, passed down through her family for generations.

The pages of the book were filled with spells, incantations, and protective wards.

She opened the book and began chanting in a language that transcended the ordinary, weaving a spell to reinforce her Mystic Prison.

As she did so, the mystical energy within the Parlour seemed to intensify, responding to her call.

Once the spell was complete, Zatanna closed the book with a satisfied nod. "This should make the Mystic Prison nearly impenetrable and unbreakable.

She turned to me, a look of concern in her eyes. "Doctor Strange, I have something for you as well. I know that you have drained a lot of magic from your relics, and I have one I think could help you."

Zatanna reached into a hidden compartment in her store, her fingers brushing against an antique wooden box with intricate carvings.

She carefully opened it, revealing the top hat of Zatara, her father's famous magician hat.

She extended it towards me, a knowing look in her eyes. "Doctor Strange, my father's hat holds a special kind of magic. It's been a part of my family for generations. When worn, it can enhance your spellcasting abilities and help you tap into the hidden depths of your own magic."

"I hope you're exhausted enough not to blow up." She added.

I could use a boost after casting the powerful spell I had.

I accepted the top hat with reverence, feeling the power emanating from it. "Thank you, Zatanna. I'll use it to its fullest potential."

With the top hat of Zatara in hand, we were ready to confront the intruder and protect Greenpoint from whatever threat had emerged from the portal.

Zatanna opened another portal, leading us back to the outskirts of Greenpoint.

(His P.O.V)

He roamed the streets of this new world. It looked just like the Earth he had just come from. Was it real or was it just a sorcery illusion?

Everything felt real however; including the powerful sorceress he had just overpowered.

His journey across the universe had led him to this place, and he felt that what he was looking for was here. But this new Earth made him question a lot.

Was there more than he knew? Did this new world too require mercy through his redemption?

---

A/N:

Did you enjoy this?

Comment.

Thank you.

---

Expect more chapters soon -> 50