POV: Scott
You'd think that after all this time with the Ancient One in Kamar-Taj, I'd understand at least a little about all this magical nonsense…
The truth?
I didn't understand it before, and I still don't understand it now.
Not for lack of trying, either. Honestly, I'd love nothing more than to open a portal to Hawaii and stay there for at least two years doing absolutely nothing.
But of course, nothing good can ever happen in my life…
Apparently, I am completely incompatible with the mystic arts.
First, because I'm simply incapable of using dimensional energy like all the other sorcerers, and I have no idea why.
Naturally, the Ancient One didn't explain a damn thing about it, but after a while I got used to her weird bullshit — and I have my theories…
Second reason?
I'm apparently too impulsive to deal with the mystical side of things.
And honestly? On that point, I actually agree.
I rarely admit it, but I know the Ancient One does what she does for a reason.
I definitely don't agree with many of those reasons — and you better believe I'll get my revenge someday!!!
But at the very least, you don't question a mechanic when he talks about cars… and the same applies here.
After all, I don't want to accidentally step on the toes of some hyper-dangerous dimensional entity perfectly capable of erasing me from existence.
Now, when it comes to what I already have?
I'm at least competent.
At this point, in a straight hand-to-hand fight, normal people don't stand a chance against me anymore.
Sure, there are plenty of gray areas in that statement, but overall, it's true.
I'm nowhere near super-soldier level or those insane Chinese masters, but I'm not terrible either.
As for my powers?
Hehehe… This part was actually fun.
Once again, my laser beams come from a separate dimension — they're not generated by my body itself.
And I suspect that's why I can't use energy from other dimensions… because I'm always "using" the energy from that one dimension, which prevents others from being used simultaneously.
When I asked the Ancient One about it, she actually gave me a useful answer for once.
"Yes, your theory is partially correct. That is all I can say."
Honestly? Compared to other times, that was practically a gold mine of information.
So what did I do next?
I started testing theories.
For example:
Can I control when my beams fire or not?
The original Scott never managed it — whether for personal reasons or something else.
But me?
Hehehe… Maybe I can.
I approached the problem as if I were opening a valve — letting water flow when I want it to, and closing it when I want it to stop.
At the very least, my training produced better results when I thought of it that way. Other mental triggers like lighting a match or firing a gun didn't work nearly as well.
And yes, I stole that idea straight from the Fate franchise.
Of course, I had… obstacles.
Honestly, I don't know how the Ancient One hasn't kicked me out after all the walls I accidentally destroyed. I also have no idea where she gets the money to repair everything, but hey — it worked out…
Up to a point.
Yeah, my theory worked partially. I can now go without those ridiculous red glasses and actually open my eyes without a lethal beam shooting out.
The downside?
My beams got weaker.
Before, I could level a building without much trouble.
Now? At most, I can blow through a wall — as previously demonstrated.
And that's my main problem right now.
I want the same power as before, but with the control I have now.
No matter what I try, I can't reach that result.
And when I asked the Ancient One about it?
"Is that so? What a pity… Tea?"
I blew up a wall after that. No regrets.
Anyway…
My main theory for why this happened is that my body is now in the state it should have been in from the beginning.
Using the valve analogy again:
If I'm now a functional system that lets only a certain amount of water pass through the pipe — opening and closing at will — then before, the system was completely broken and flooding the entire room.
That's why my lasers were so strong.
The only thing preventing the water from flooding the entire complex was a door — my visor/glasses.
Remove that obstruction?
Massive pressure release. Everything gets flooded.
But now, for some reason, the system is fixed and functional.
I have questions about how that happened, but that's for later.
So…
A few weeks ago, I finally reached a conclusion about what could restore my previous power while keeping my current control.
I need a stronger body.
Supernaturally stronger.
After all, if the pipes carrying the water are strong enough, the water can flow through them at higher pressure and speed.
And if everything goes right?
My lasers will be just as strong as before — maybe even stronger.
The biggest proof that my theory is correct?
The Ancient One hasn't stopped me.
If I were going down the wrong path, she would intervene. I'm certain of that.
Since she hasn't?
Either I'm right, or at least I'm on the right track.
So how do you get a super-strong body in Marvel?
First thing that comes to mind: the Super Soldier Serum.
Also the first thing I cross off my list.
I can't think of anyone besides Captain America himself who took that serum and came out as a perfect super soldier — no side effects, no trauma, no personality changes.
Not to mention I have to consider my mutation… What if I take it and turn into some kind of abomination because of it?
No. Way too risky.
But thinking about all that, one name came to mind…
K'un-Lun.
Masters of chi.
Monks who guard the sacred dragon's chi, until a worthy challenger arrives to claim it and become the Iron Fist.
My plan isn't to take that chi — way too difficult.
Would be nice, sure, but I'm not delusional.
What I want is to awaken my own chi.
Normally, this would be the hardest option, because those monks are reclusive as hell.
But having the greatest sorcerer in the world as your "teacher" comes with certain perks…
Now let's just hope she called me here because of that…
Because if not?
I'm probably getting tortur—trained again today.
Seriously… what kind of shit I did to deserve all this crap?