Fictions Mentioned:


Episode 22 - The Strange Training Experience


OP Song:

Tomorrow Never Dies · Sheryl Crow


Location:

Multiverse: TS 1965 Multiverse

Universe: ZKC Universe-12


Misaki Shokuhou was quite anxious.

She was standing at what appeared to be an advance hallway with futuristic blue neon-colored outlines, and she was right next to the Tokiwadai Dorm Supervisor who was giving her reassurance by gently tapping her shoulder with her right hand. MTF personnel were seen from the sides, with their armed rifles on the ready. Passer-by civilians, both human and non-human were seen from the corner of her eyes, but she never payed much attention to.

Even now, she still couldn't believe that the Dorm Supervisor could be like this. The fact that aside from being the one who observes the proper behavior and conduct of each Tokiwadai student, she was also the maternal and protective type to whom you could go to in your hour of need. And when Shokuhou thought about the fact that the Tokiwadai Dorm Supervisor could successfully intimidate the students of Tokiwadai who ranged from Levels 3 and 4, with her and Mikoto Misaka being Level 5, she supposed that it made sense based on the background of her being a Secret Supervisor Agent (SSA) of a secret organization.

Then she would notice what appeared to be a rectangular portal opening automatically from one universe to another. And what she found from the other side was...

"...!"

It was a young girl who was the spitting image of one Mikoto Misaka, with the exception being that she has very long hair and that she was wearing regular clothing consisting of a pink jacket, shorts, and black spats.

This young girl was quite familiar to Shokuhou. Despite having grown up the last time that they had met, there was no denying who this was.

How this girl came to be was based on the DNA of one Mikoto Misaka who had donated it for the sake of a good cause to help those who were suffering an illness called muscular dystrophy. And yet the adults of Academy City took advantage of even such a good deed and turned it on it's head. As of right now, one of the more infamous of experiments is based on the cloned sisters of Mikoto Misaka getting sent to the literal slaughterhouse where they were bread and borned to die.

Dolly.

And she was sporting a mixture of expressions that range of the following. She was surprised, widening her eyes out. And after a few moments, she was slowly crying. The prickling tears were leaking from her brown hazel nut eyes, with her trembling mouth clearly visible.

"...Mi-Misaki-chan."

"...Do-Dolly."

Misaki Shokuhou was bo less different, for she was softly utering her words that were tinge in a moment of hesitation that was ranging from disbelief to tears of relief and a mixture of other feelings that were seen to gently flow down her cheeks.

Why is that so?

Because she was seeing her old friend alive and well, face-to-face for the very first time.

And she never had seen this old friend so very happy to see her, even to the point of tears of relief, especially after everything that she and this friend had been through together.

There was nervousness. There was concern. There was fear. There was excitement. There was relief. There was a point where she almost thought that she could run from the other direction and never look back. Many complicated feelings would soar through the maiden heart of the Mental Out as she would see her old friend alive and well as they both cried, with the only thing separating them being the proper approximate distance.

And Dolly would close the distance immediately after a few moments by dashing towards Shokuhou at full speed, calling out to the latter.

"Misaki-chan!"

And she would reach out to Shokuhou and embrace her. Shokuhou in turn was sporting an expression of disbelief and relief, with her starry eyes leaking tears and trembling vehemently. And the Supervisor in turn was taking a step back, making a few approriate meters of distance in order for the two reunited friends to get reaquainted once again and make her way towards Batman and the others.

"...I...I'm sorry."

Misaki Shokuhou was apologizing. It was an automatic instinct that she would initiate due to the racking guilt that was present. The failure of saving her and manipulating her was still present within her guilty conscience. She didn't think that she deserved this kindness, nor did she deserve this embrace.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for deceiving you. I'm sorry for not catching on to the lie. I'm sorry for butting in on your memories. I'm sorry for getting lost in the comfortable lie."

She kept apologizing and apologizing without fail, non-stop as the times of guilt were catching up and pouring it all just as the leaking tears would signify. But Dolly would reassure her with her own feelings and tears, telling her in a very sad and friendly tone.

"Misaki-chan, you don't have to say anything else. Let's just stay like this, please. I missed you so very much," she would say, embracing Shokuhou tightly.

"I...I...I didn't...I...didn't think that...I get to see you again...," Shokuhou cried softly, with a trembling smile and with tears rolling down her cheeks, also embracing tightly.

"...S...Same here I...I always thought about you, Misaki-chan. I kept asking and asking Washu-sensei about what you have been doing, and she would give me the best preview by this device. See?"

Dolly would slowly remove herself from the embrace by just a bit in order to get something from her pocket. It would appear to be a rectangular platform mobile device, highly advance and there appeared to be a particular brand name 'Stark Industries' attached to it. She would then make use of the touch screen from the platform and started pressing a few keys which would reveal images of Misaki Shokuhou and her every day life from time to time, especially in relation to the latter's time in Tokiwadai.

"Here you see? This device allows me to at least see how Misaki-chan is doing without having to let me enter our world. Washu-sensei and the others would say that I shouldn't be allowed to enter our world for the time being because I might be put in danger and would jeopardize the existence of my other sisters. And I'd also put you in danger due to my connection with you. I'm sorry, Misaki-chan. I just didn't see any other way other than to mae use of this for now."

"No, no, it's fine," Shokuhou waves her hand as if it were not a big deal, shaking her head, sporting a reassuring trembling smile. "It's not a big deal at all. Actually, it's pretty clever and relieving to know that you're safe and sound, that's all. Speaking of which, how's life treating you there at that laboratory? You're getting some good needed sleep? Have you been eating right?"

"Yes, yes," Dolly softly laughed, sporting a smile on her face. "I do all that and more. That and I have Mii-chan with me after all."

And then, Shokuhou would begin to take notice of a young girl with purple-colored hair styled into twin tails and purple-colored eyes, wearing what appeared to be grey shirt coat worn over a white sleeve, with her cleavage being modestly visible for someone her age, and she was sporting a curious expression, with a polite smile on her face, walking towards them.

"Is that...," Shokuhou mutters softly out of a sense of curiosity.

"Oh speaking of which, Misaki-chan, meet Mii-chan. Mii-chan, this is Misaki-chan, say hi," Dolly said, bringing the young girl, Mitori Kouzaku, who was sporting an exasperated expression.

"Yes, yes," Mitori said, looking exasperatedly at Dolly. She would turn towards Shokuhou, saying with an embarassed smile. "Hello there, Shokuhou-san. It seems that this is the first time we finally get to meet face to face."

"Y-Yes," Shokuhou muttered softly, feeling conflicted and racked with guilt about this encounter based on past experiences. "I suppose that is the case."

"Well then, I guess we better start getting along after all. I mean, Dolly here just practically won't stop talking about you from time to time to the point where it made me want to groan and head back to my bed in order to take a nap. I wanted to meet the person who had made an impression on my friend after all, so I guess that we should start now than never," Mitori sported a casual smile.

"Y-Yes. Ahem. I suppose that would be for the best," Shokuhou coughed, with a close fist near to her mouth, fixing herself up by wiping her tears.

And while this heartwarming reunion and conversation was currently happening, Touma Kamijou, with arms crossed and with a simple smile on his face, and the rest from the background were silently and respectfully watching from afar, allowing the girls to take their time in getting to catch up. From the corner of Kamijou's eye, he spotted Batman, Councilwoman Amanda Waller, the Domino Squad, and some of the adults from STUDY were busy discussing about the data files in relation to A.I.M.'s current operations and the list of potential targets

"Say, kouhai," Seria Kumokawa was sporting an intrigued expression, holding what appeared to be a set of file folders that contained the rescued Misaka clones ranging from #1 to a few thousand marks and reading them all with a rare genuine smile on her face that was turned towards Kamijou who took notice of her.

"Yes, senpai?," Kamijou asked.

"I must say, when I first found out from this meeting that the sisters that should have been dead are currently alive and well somewhere, I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical from the surface. You can hardly blame me for such misgivings due to the line of work that I'd do for a living. But then, somehow what seems to be impossible to some would happen whenever you seem to be around all of the time," Kumokawa pointed out.

"Hehehehe," Robin — Timothy Jackson "Tim" Drake — sporting a simple smile with arms crossed, was laughing at the comparison. "Kumokawa-san, you wouldn't believe just how many forms of impossible could relate to Touma here. He's practically a magnet for impossibility so you might as well get used to getting your entire world views being challenged from the inside out. And I'd speak from experience."

"Oh?," Ayu Mitsuari who was nearby sported a curious expression. "And just how impossible are talking about...um, Robin correct?"

Kamijou and Robin would look at each other, sporting expressions that ranged from hesitation and debating as to whether or not they could fully explain without any of the information overload and not having to deal with issues regarding everything they knew about reality.

"Well...," Robin would try to start the conversation first in order to give a proper explanation.

And as the impossible would be mentioned, so it would come to be, for there appeared to be a conjured up a mystical wormhole that would connect from one place to another which is noticed by everyone in the room.

Out stepped forward a man in his mid-thirties, a handsome man with gentlemanly features, who appeared to be in his mid-thirties, with combed well-kept hair with grey sides and a meticulously trimmed goatee, wearing yellow gloves, a blue tunic robe worn all over the body, and a scarlet red cape from his back that is known as the Cloak of Levitation, along with a mystical artifact that is worn around his neck that is known as the Eye of Agamotto.

Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange MD–PhD.

The three young girls: Misaki Shokuhou, Ayu Mitsuari, and Seria Kumokawa would take notice of the man, sporting surprised and intrigued expressions, especially when the Domino Squad begins to make a straightened formal military posture and salute out of respect.

"Attention!," Commander Fordo uttered, making a salute.

"At ease, men," Dr. Strange nodded in reassurance. The clones in turn would put down their arms, ending the salute. "Hello everyone, I hope I'm not interupting anything."

Dr. Strange sported an apologetic smile as the mystical portal closes around him, taking a glance towards Batman — Bruce Wayne — who took notice of him.

"Dr. Strange, do what do we owe your visit at this time?," Batman asked politely, walking towards Dr. Strange, curious as to what he is doing here while sporting a thoughtful expression.

"Well Batman," Dr. Strange glanced meaningfully at Kamijou. "I was hoping that my student, Mr. Kamijou, would be available for our scheduled training sessions as of this time, that is if he is not too busy or anything."

"He isn't. And in fact, your timing couldn't be more approriate, Doctor," Batman answered simply, turning towards Kamijou. "Touma, go with Dr. Strange. The data files that you and Domino Squad had found at the underground complex are still being analyzed by STUDY, so you would need to keep yourself preoccupied in the meantime and update on your training regiment. Robin, you will go with Touma as well as I figured that you could also require a few lessons in magic in order pass the time and also make an update on your training regiment."

"Sweet," Robin smiled, happy at the fact that he get's to spend time with his best friend. "Guess we get to hang out once again, Touman."

"I suppose so, Tim," Kamijou smiled.

"Wait," Kumokawa sported a smirked expression, with a hand placed to her waist. "Batman-sensei, with your permission, you wouldn't mind if I tag along the two as well. I'm quite curious about this training so to speak."

"Of course, Kumokawa-san," Batman nodded. "But you should also take Mitsuari-san and Shokuhou-san with you as they too may find this to be of their interest as well. That and they may need to know the type of information that would assist them in the near future if the need were to arise."

"Hm?," Shokuhou and Mitsuari would sport curious expressions.

Shokuhou would glance back at Dolly, sporting a hestitant expression about separating as they only got to see each other now after so very long. Dolly on the other hand would casually wave her hands as if it were not a big deal.

"Relax, Misaki-chan. You'd still see me again, in fact, after all this is over, I, Mii-chan, and you would get to spend our promised quality time together at the beach after so very long, don't you all remember?"

Both Shokuhou and Mitori would know what the 'time' was. A time when they get to go to the beach and see the vast seas from the horizon and have simple friendship bonding and a form of catching up to do. And they would both smile, shaking their heads, with Shokuhou sporting a smile and with tears of joy in her eyes.

"Oh honestly, when you put it like that, I couldn't help but agree. You always do things within your own pace after all this time and force your own opinion on them ⭐," Shokuhou said.

"I don't think we need to be surprised at this point, considering that is is Dolly we're talking about," Mitori put a hand to her waist, sporting an exasperated smile on her face. "But it can't be any worse than her demanding anything else."

"Hmmm. What's that suppose to mean, Mii-tan?!," Dolly pouted, which prompted Shokuhou and Mitori to laugh wholeheartedly.

"Well, I suppose that we may have to catch up some other time, Yumiya-san. After all, I shouldn't let you keep your team waiting for you at the cafeteria," Mitsuari sported a gentle smile towards Rakko Yumiya.

"I...suppose so, Mitsuari-san," Rakko sported a sad smile.

"Well then, since everything is settled, I guess it's about time that we all go on a Strange field trip," Kamijou said with a subtle and excited smile. Then he would sport a look of understanding and realization as he would glance at Shokuhou, Kumokawa, and Mitsuari and call out to them one by one. "Shokuhou-san, Kumokawa-san, Mitsauri-san."

The three aformentioned girls would turn towards Kamijou, sporting curious expressions.

"I just thought that I should give you three a heads up. The things that you are about to see and learn might seem a little...strange to you all, no pun intended, sensei," Kamijou glanced towards Dr. Strange who could only smirk in amusement. "So you all might want to get yourselves ready, and forget everything that you all think that you know as your reality. In other words, think of this as a crash course on the different laws and points-of-view of one's personal reality, and many of them don't involve the esper kind."

And that in turn made the three aforementioned girls more curious, wondering as to what he meant by this, turning towards the man with a blue robe and red cape who was looking at all of them with interest and recognition.

"Good day to you all, young ladies. My name is Dr. Stephen Strange. And like my student said, prepare yourselves mentallu for what you're about to bare witness too as it may indeed challenge the beliefs that you may or may not harbor personally, for it is a consequence of such when it comes to the intricate topic of the Multiverse."


"Ah~ I never thought that I could taste such sweet curry. This is quite excellent for the taste buds to ponder."

Frenda Seivelun was enjoying the meal that was placed on the cafeteria table where she and the rest of her fellow members of ITEM were eating their ordered meals. On the side was Agent Shiage Hamazura and Teitoku Kakine, the latter was glaring at the former, while the former would just eat his meal which consisted of rice and some fried fish. Agent Jiang Haoyi in turn was just eating his meal while discussing with Gunha Sogiita about casual stuff that involved their daily lives. The rest of the members of SCHOOL were simply eating their meals as well, with the exception of Rakko Yumiya who was still currently with Ayu Mitsuari and the others. Kaibi Gokusai in turn was sporting an amused expression, glancing at both Agent Hamazura and Kakine, debating as to whether or not an argument would start once again based on personal experiences.

"I have to admit, this is super delicious. When you said that we'd be getting anything we want to eat, I didn't expect it to be super quite literally," Saiai Kinuhata was eating what appeared to be cassoulet, a comfort dish of white beans stewed slowly with meat.

"Yeah well, when it comes to our job as agents of a secret inter-multiversal organization dedictated to protecting the Multiverse, food and drinks are one of the important factors to boosting morale. And many of these don't even have to be payed for in the first place as currency is a rather arbitrary term for different cultures," Agent Hamazura explained.

"Learn something new everyday," Shizuri Mugino smirked, keeping an eye on both Agent Hamazura and Kakine who were obviously not getting along, and couldn't help but recall the incident at the meeting. "So, how is it that you two tend to know each other?"

"I don't wanna talk about it," Agent Hamazura grumbled, rather not having to go to a trip down to memory lane regarding the following incidents between him and the #2 Level 5 Esper of Academy City.

"What? You're feeling cold feet, Hamazura?," Kakine raised an eyebrow, with an amused smirk, eating the french fries from the table.

"Shut up, Kakine," Agent Hamazura grumbled.

"You know, I'm just curious. Just how exactly did you ended up working for the Foundation, Kakine?," Mugino asked.

"Same as all of you, probably," Kakine casually said. "We suddenly got lured into a trap in one of our missions, captured and sent to some random universe without any care in the world. Then we got the briefing exposition from the mean lady and...well the rest is history."

"Isn't there something that you forgot to add, Kakine?," Kaibi said, sporting an amused smirk.

"I'm not going to talk about that," Kakine narrowed his eyes in annoyance. "And don't you dare bring in up now as I still couldn't fucking believe it myself."

"Ok, now I'm curious. Just what the hell was so bad that you couldn't even share a thing or two for us big girls on the table," Mugino smirked, with arms crossed.

"Hamazura managed to beat Kakine-san with the power of guts," Gunha replied, sporting a proud expression, accompanied with a nod.

"Shut up, you moron! I. Did. Not. Get. Beaten. By. A. Level. 0. Especially towards someone like him," Kakine sported an angered and annoyed expression.

"Yeah that's just the thing. You beat Dark Matter. How is that even possible?," Frenda sported a dubious and surprised expression towards Agent Hamazura.

"Like for super real, just how exactly did you managed to super pull it off without getting dusted?," Kinuhata sported a dubious and surprised expression towards Agent Hamazura.

"Are you still hung up about that after all this time? I mean, get over it, it's been a few months since that thing even happened. Don't you have anything else better to do other than to whine about the fact that I beat you with nothing but a tape recorder," Agent Hamazura sported an exasperated expression towards Kakine.

"Tape recorder?," Rikou Takitsubo tilted her head, sporting a curious expression.

"Ah yes, the dreaded volleyball soundtrack," Agent Jiang Haoyi sported an amused expression, chewing the food from his mouth. "That went the way of memes for the next couple of months or so that made many people laugh and joke about this for quite a while."

"Volleyball?," Mugino sported a curious expression, wondering as to what does an ordinary sport have to do with the #2's defeat.

"I'm. Not. Talking. About. That," Kakine sported an annoyed expression.

"Whatever you say, volleyball-kun," Kaibi sported an amused expression.

"Damn it!," Kakine exclaimed, annoyed at the dreaded nickname that became an infamous iconic name in place of his usual alias: Dark Matter.

As the conversation was taking place, Banka Yobou, eating took notice of Rakko Yumiya, with a tray in hand containing the food that she was about to eat, who was heading towards them, spotting them easily among the various cafeteria tables that had multiple Foundation personnel and other individuals who were eating and drinking, with a few casual conversations in-between.

"Ah, Yumiya-san," Yobou sported an expression of acknowledgement of his fellow member, and it was noted by everyone in the table who also took notice of her. "Is the meeting officially over and done with for the time being?"

"Yes," Rakko said, sporting a smile on her face, sitting beside Yobou. "Strange-sensei had suddenly dropped in all of a sudden because Kamijou-san was needed for updated training, so he, Robin, Mitsuari-san, Kumokawa-san, and Shokuhou-san are currently heading towards the Sanctum Sanctorum as we speak."

"Strange-sensei?," all of the ITEM members sported curious expressions, looking towards Agent Hamazura who could only smirk knowingly.

"Well damn it, guess we're gonna miss the training session with boss for now."


Location:

Multiverse: MV Multiverse

Universe: MV Universe-616


The Sanctum Sanctorum.

Also known as the New York Sanctum, located at 177A Bleecker Street, New York City, NY 10012-1406, on the corner of Bleecker Street and Fenno Place in the heart of Greenwich Village. It is one of the three bases of the Masters of the Mystic Arts, an inter-multiversal order of sorcerers who are committed to protecting the Multiverse from mystical and supernatural threats. It is also a private residence and the greatest concentration of occult esoterica and mystical phenomena in existence.

This place is special, significant in that it is owned and managed by one of the most powerful and versatile sorcerers that is ever known in the Multiverse.

Dr. Stephen Vincent Strange MD–PhD.

And now, the mystical portal would begin to be conjured once more that connects both universes, and it would have the good Doctor and owner of this abode make his official return. Accompanying him were Touma Kamijou, Robin, Misaki Shokuhou, Seria Kumokawa, and Ayu Mitsuari.

The three young girls would begin take notice of the surrounding area with intrigue. It appeared to be Victorian-style architecture: intricately tiled floors, luxuriant frames adorning the walls featuring landscapes, furniture of a most ostentatious kind, and a number of relics on pedestals and behind glass cases alike. The grand staircase filled in the wider-than-expected room quite nicely, and the arched doorways flanking the staircase seemed to house living and dining room areas respectively.

"...Wow," Seria Kumokawa whistled, impresed at the architecture and glancing at the furniture that seemed to have been calculatively placed in an ordered fashion, telling her of one part of the personality and role behind the man of the house that seem to be a bigger-on-the-inside mansion. "This is quite the nice place that you have."

"Why thank you, my dear," Dr. Strange smiled, pleased at the compliment and accepting it humbly. "What you are all seeing is the Sanctum Sanctorum, an ancient architectural building of three significant floors, and it is where I would consider to be my home."

"Master."

It was then that a Basset Hound would begin to walk excitedly towards them, with tails wagging. Kumokawa, Shokuhou, and Mitsuari begin to take notice of the dog's appearance that was likened to that of a spectre-like imagery, one that was usually associated with...

"...Ah," the three young girls uttered, sporting surprised and hesitant expressions.

"Oh Bats, I see that you have been waiting for us faithfully for our return. Good boy," Dr. Strange bent down and patted the dog's head gently, which made the latter squealed in delight, with his tail wagging. "Everyone, this is Bats, my faithful companion. I adopted this hound years ago in one of my side duties as a veterinarian. And since then, this dog and I have been through a great number of years working together."

"Hello everyone. My name is Bats. It is quite the pleasure to meet you all," Bats said in a happy tone. Then he would decide to float and hover off of the floor, much to the surprise of the three young girls who were observing the hound who were now coming closer to them, sniffing them one-by-one, before making an assessment.

"Hmmm. The scents of these young women are quite strange, no pun intended master," Bats took a glance at Dr. Strange who only smirked in amusement. "Hmmm. They seem to carry the scent of a fundamental theory in physics that provides a description of the physical properties of nature at the scale of atoms and subatomic particles. It's also likened to that of the scent of a cat that seem both dead and alive at the exact same time."

"Schrödinger's cat, yes?," Dr. Strange said with a knowing smile, which made the three young women of Academy City turned towards him in surprise, recognizing the theory due to in light of and in the basis behind the topic of Personality Reality. "And yes everyone, I am well aware of the principle behind Personal Reality, the basis behind the power of the espers of your native reality, given that it is also a part of my own personal studies and expertise to draw and learn from as both Master of the Mystic Arts and Socrerer Supreme."

"Eh?," the three young women uttered in surprise and curiosity.

Master of the Mystic Arts? Sorcerer Supreme?

Those terms that may seem to have no correlation to the scientific viewpoint behind the common nature and opinion of Academy City at first glance. For everything that can be explained within science and reason was the norm. Supersition is considered to be a part of such wherein the so-called beliefs, myths, and other supernatural phenomena of the past can all be explained under the terms of science and reason. Acadmey City, when it came down to it, was likened to that of a New Age of Enlightenment if one were to give a simple comparison to draw from in the boundaries of history.

But then, when it came to what the three young women who had seen have seen and witnessed for the last few hours before coming here was any indication, they needed to see for themselves first and foremost before they could make any approriate judgments. After all, they had just been hopping between universes, a scientific theory that came to life in front of them and bore witness to with their own two eyes. It would be foolish of them to jump to any unnecessary conditions.

Perhaps that is one of the reasons as to why Batman wanted the three of them specifically to go with Kamijou and Robin for now as they need to be given the "reality check" so to speak in light of their given situation. They had just been involved in a brush against a Dark Side Organization that has a far grander history than they could have ever accounted for, and this organization is targeting them or anyone related to Clone Dolly.

"If you three are curious for more answers, then we must make haste towards the Library. It is there that we would need to discuss what you three must ought to know."

And so, the three young women would trek upon the inner grand architecture and take note of everything that were to surround them. Their journey would lead them to vast intricate hallways that carry many types of furniture and paintings that depict familiar and unfamiliar surroundings.

What the three young women would take notice of immensely in their journey however was a painting in one of the hallways that was placed to the center wall, seeing what appeared to be a battlefield of a sorts, with men carrying the same white armor as the Domino Squad, the ones who revealed themselves to be clones, who were aiming their respective weapons against a group of pepperpot-like beings with toilet plungers for hands and metal machines with sleek armor and Jack-O-Lantern faces who were opening fire upon them from all sides in an omindirectional pattern. There were large cracks from the sky that seem to carry what appeared to be vast tentacles of unseen beings who were trying to dragged everything to their realm with them. There were a multitudes of unnatural flames that seem to spread as far as the eyes could see, seeing the damaged infrastructures, the fleeing humanoid civilians, and the white armored men forming defensive perimeters as they provided cover fire for the civilians. There were some men and women, wearing colorful uniforms, commanding the soldiers to hold the line and defended themselves against the menace that plagues thre world.

All of this and so much more were quite the awe inspiring horor for the three young women who couldn't help but stop from their trek and take a close look at the battlefield that seems to spoke of a picture of a thousand words without meaning too.

Kumokawa would look towards a heading from the lower part of the painting, seeing the words: 'LGTW. Space-Time Battle of MV Universe-5000. Years: [REDACTED]'

She would turn towards Kamijou, and she would find something that made her stop her mental tracks due to the facial expression that he was sporting.

Recognition. Accompanied with a grim undertone and narrowed black eyes that would seem to temporarily form slits that reminded her of the Wyvern that attacked her, Shokuhou, and Mitsuari not too long ago. The same facial expression was also noticed by Shokuhou and Mitsuari as they turn their faces to the same direction as Kumokawa was.

They could not say. They could not respond. The expression was all that they needed to know in order to truly understand the significance of the 3-D real lifelike painting. The same expression, even more so grim and solemn, was present to Dr. Strange and Bats who were staring at the painting as well. They would see Robin who while not carrying the same grim expression as the three was nevertheless aware and quiet, looking at the painting in trepidation in light of the hidden meaning behind it.

A moment later, Dr. Strange would utter solemnly. "Young ladies, we must go. There will be an approriate time to ponder the meaning of the painting later."

And with expressions that seem hesitant but nevertheless accepting, the three young women would begin their trek to the Library once again while taking side glances towards the painting as they went their merry way.

After a few moments later, they would all finally enter into a vast library, filled with a multitude of books, both ancient and modern, both magic and science, along with other useful topics that one could find. If the three young girls could estimate, it would have to be in over the tens of thousands of books on thousands of shelves from top to bottom. They would make their way towards the central hall, finding someone awaiting them, hovering and making a meditative monk-like stance, with the eyes closed shut.

It was a woman. She was quite beautiful to look at. White long hair, wearing dark pink gloves, a dark pink robe with black features worn all over the body, and a dark pink cape seen from her back.

Clea Strange - The Sorceress Supreme of the Dark Dimension.

She would smile, opening and revealing her blue eyes that were directed towards Dr. Strange's eyes that were gladen to see and behold.

"Ah, my dear husband. You've finally arrived," she would say, taking note of the following company that was accompanying her husband. "Hello, Touma and Robin. Having you both here is quite the curiosity. Let me guess, Batman had sent for you both as he thinks that your training regiment in relation to magic would need to be updated once again while he and the rest of the adults would do what is needed."

"That's pretty much it, ma'am," Robin said with a smile, nodding.

"That and Strange-sensei would like for me to continue my formal training," Kamijou said with a smile.

"Ah, of course," Clea would smile knowingly. Eventually, she turned towards the three young girls who were curious about her. "Hmm. A student from Touma's school and two students of Tokiwadai. Oddly intriguing."

"Hmm? You know about Tokiwadai?," Shokuhou raised an eyebrow of curiosity.

"Of course I do my dear, just as I would know all of your names. Misaki Shokuhou, Ayu Mitsuari, and Seria Kumokawa."

"?" the three young girls couldn't help but pay close attention due to the fact that they have yet to introduced themselves to this woman.

"If you were wondering as to how I know your names, it's not that of mind reading, I can assure you. Rather it was combination of a little soul searching, reading between the lines, and a few conversations with the Dorm Manager of Tokiwadai which would seem to explain well enough for you three," Clea explained with a smile.

"Oh, of course," Shokuhou muttered softly, shaking her head as she still couldn't get over the issue about the Dorm Supervisor being more involved in things that not even she could have predicted.

"Whatever the case," Clea would begin to levitate her legs down and place them firmly on the ground, looking towards Dr. Strange. "I believe that it is time that we begin the introductions to Mystic Arts 101, my dear husband."

"Why of course, honey," Dr. Strange would agree.

And then, both Dr. Strange and Clea would begin to raise their hands, performing a set of hand gestures, with their palms sporting magic circles that would allow them to do the following.

And the three young girls would bare witness to what appeared to be a redecorating of one's surroundings. Ancient Elder Futhark runes were seen from the circular pattern that they were all standing on to glow shimmeringly. A couple of student chairs materailized from the back nearby, much to the surprise of the three young women who were witnessing the spectacle. There was a large drawn out rectangular chalk board that seem to be shaped to at least 90°, hovering without any support which seem physically impossible based on the scientific principles of the weight and motion. The shelves and other furniture nearby were cleared or move to other approriate locations. The central hall seem even bigger than before, for it seem to be reminscent of the halls of St. Peter's Basilica, carrying the design of Donato Bramante that was selected, and for which the foundation stone was laid in 1506, with a hint of Victorian and Renaissance added to the mixture among the floors and ceilings.

After the reordering of the structure, Dr. Strange would give a smile of satisfaction, accompanied with a nod.

"Alright, this would do for now," then he turned towards the three young women, Robin, and Kamijou. "Alright everyone, it's time to take your seats for the day. Except for you, Touma. You sit on the ground and perform the meditation stance at the center circle of the platform."

"Of course, sensei," Kamijou agreed, making his way towards the center circle that seem to have no runes, initiating a sitting position and facing towards the direction where Shokuhou, Kumokawa, Mitsuari, and Robin were slowly taking their seats as they admire the architecture, with Dr. Strange and Clea not too far behind, standing from both directions.

The three young girls would look at Robin, with Mitsuari softly uttering. "Um, Robin-san, just what exactly is Kamijou planning to do?"

Robin, smiling in turn, said. "Oh this? Oh you're gonna wanna have to see this for yourselves cause I won't exactly spoil it. It'll ruin the surprise."

And so, as everyone begins to wait for a few moments, Kamijou begins to breathe in and out, closing his eyes for a few moments.

Then something strange seem to happen.

Everything except the circle where they all stood had suddenly disappeared, much to the surprise of the three young girls, looking from all directions and exclaiming words of surprise. Then the three young girls would notice the blank space that was a shade of darkness that seem indescribable. The light that allowed them and everyone else to see clearly seem to be present only in relation to the floor that serves such a purpose. It seem that it was comparable to that of going to a cinema to watch a movie where all other lights except the designated places went out in order to prepare to take in the view of the movie. And the experiences seem no less different, but with the difference only in terms of purpose and intent.

And then, something else happened after a few moments.

"...Grrrr."

A rumbling sound begins to be heard. A familar sound that had the human skin hairs of the three young girls standing up straight, sporting widened expression. And yet, this familiar sound wasn't so familiar, for it seem ancient and ever new. The growl of an ancient apex predator that would remind the girls of the tales of old, of wingless, four-legged, serpentine creatures with above-average intelligence.

And so, they noticed IT.

It was a dragon. But it wasn't something that they could easily classify as something scientific, and from whatever they could tell from within themselves, not even magical and superstitious means of their world. It was a creature that sported light blue green colors, with yellow secondary colors that were found at the back of the scales and through some parts of the body. It's slit eyes were something of a novelty, blue-green in color, both ancient and ever so new. It's breath was both warm and cold, as if it represented a change within the seasons. It's claws from it's paws were sharp as a lion, fitting for a predator among the brood.

"Master Strange, Lady Clea, it is good to see you visit to this realm once more," the dragon would utter softly.

"Pleasure as always, Lord IT. Now I do believe that our training sessions with Touma Kamijou are about to begin once more. If you would be so kind," Dr. Strange said with a gentleman-like smile, with a right hand raised in a simple gesture.

IT would look towards Touma Kamijou who would look towards him with a smile on his face.

"Well then, Imagine Breaker, seeing as you are visiting our realm as of this moment, it is time for a practical review regarding the four elements of the world. What say you?," IT would addressed with a simple smile.

"Of course, Lord IT," Kamijou nodded.

And while this conversation was happening, the three young women who were seated on their chairs would begin to look towards Robin who was just smiling and sitting back and relax. There was also a basket of popcorn that wasn't there before which were being made use of by Robin who would eat the popcorn with a smile. Robin would notice the three young women staring towards him.

"What?," Robin asked.

"Firstly, where the hell did you get the popcorn? Secondly, an actual talking dragon?," Kumokawa sported a curious expression, while making a glance towards the giant 20m tall dragon.

"First answer, Dr. Strange. He sometimes give free popcorn for me and the rest of my friends, fellow students and superheroes, including the Touman, whenever we tend to visit the Sanctum Sanctorum, which is actually pretty cool and all for him to do. Second answer, well...there's a lot to explain that even I don't know. The best way that I and many others could tell over the years is that Touman's right hand is sealing up some kind of weird pocket dimension where all of these ancient powerful dragon gods and other creepy crawlies reside in for some mysterious reason that only people like Dr. Strange would know but wouldn't really tell anyone else because it's apparently so top secret that the Foundation would crack down and redact any leakage of information regarding it because of the potential risks involved. And now that I thought about it, doesn't tends to make one realize that the Parameter List in your city is not all that cracked up to be when it comes to their rankings considering that Touman is labeled as a Level 0."

"Hmmm," Kumokawa put a hand to her chin, sporting a grave and thoughtful expression. "Now that you pointed that out, you have a good point. In fact, no need for one to look at kouhai as there are plenty of things that would make that crackpot curriculum look shady when in the wrong or right hands."

"Yeah," Robin nodded grimly. "I've heard how much the adults of that city would tend to...well, I suppose sabotage could be a word to describe what they're doing. I mean, from what Touman and Batman would tell me, sorry to say that you're city is quite...um...screwed up in the head if you know what I mean."

"Actually, you don't have to apologize as you are more or less correct about that assessment, Robin-san," Shokuhou said, sporting an understanding expression due to her own experiences regarding said city of science.

Robin could only wince at that, muttering. "Oh right, the one with uh...Dolly. You know, speaking of her, she's actually quite cool to hang out with, you know, whenever TARDIS School is in session from time to time."

"TARDIS School?," Mitsuari asked, sporting a curious expression.

"And that also is a long story that I'd rather not spoil the surprise for and for you all to find out for yourselves. And since you three are pretty deep on this already, I have a feeling that it may not be long now before that would happen," Robin would smile, raising his right index finger to his mouth in a gesture of 'no spoilers'.


ED Song:

Betcha Never from Cherie (2004)


Main Companion Protagonists:

Touma Kamijou - VA: Atsushi Abe

12 Core Members:

Dr. Stephen Strange - A: Benedict Cumberbatch

New Characters:

Clea Strange

Bats