Chapter 123 - [122] : The Call with Jean

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.....

At Kamar-Taj 

Roger and the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One, faced each other in the tea room.

Roger couldn't believe he was the only one who had arrived in the Marvel Universe. When he and Jean were drawn into the vortex created by the coordinates on the Mind Stone, he had seen them both pulled in together. 

Despite the Ancient One's words, Roger trusted what he had witnessed with his own eyes over any mystical assertions.

The Ancient One noticed his skepticism and offered an explanation: 

"Although I have no intention of proving anything, to prevent any rash actions on your part, I will clarify. I did not lie. Only you have crossed into this world. I have not detected a second person. However, you must understand that there are more dimensions than just Earth."

Roger's eyes narrowed. "Are you suggesting my companion ended up in another dimension?"

"That is one possibility," she conceded. "But I believe it's more likely that she simply did not arrive with you."

Her certainty seemed unshakable.

The dimensions in the Marvel Universe were countless, some full of life and others utterly barren. Earth was one of the richest in terms of life forms, which made it a target for beings from other dimensions. 

Most interdimensional travelers usually ended up on Earth, making the possibility of someone being diverted less likely.

Roger fell silent. If Jean truly wasn't in this world, then the chances of her being in another dimension were lower than the possibility that something had gone terribly wrong. After all, crossing dimensions could crush average person's body under intense pressure.

Wait a minute... he realized. This time, he hadn't felt that pressure!

"If you're truly worried, I do have a way to confirm your friend's safety," the Ancient One offered, seeing the troubled look on his face.

Roger looked up. "How?"

"A small spell," she said with a smile.

At Kamar-Taj, magic was abundant.

...

The spell required them to move to a quieter place than the tea room. The Ancient One led Roger to a meditation chamber, instructing him to sit. Roger held Loki's scepter and sat where she directed. After a moment, she spoke.

"That scepter you're holding... It houses the Mind Stone. You know that, don't you?"

"I do," he replied, looking up. "Will it interfere with the spell?"

"No," she said. "But if I'm sensing correctly, you have another Mind Stone on you, don't you?"

"Yes, and it's that stone that brought me and my companion here."

The Ancient One nodded, then said, "Then the next step is simple: may I have the scepter?"

"Like this?" Roger handed the scepter over.

The Ancient One paused, surprised. "You trust me that easily?"

"Why not? You're the Sorcerer Supreme, and the mentor of Stephen Strange. I trust your character," Roger answered calmly.

That wasn't his only reason. Roger also had confidence in his own strength. With the second Mind Stone in his possession, he didn't fear the Ancient One. Even if she attempted to force his soul from his body, she would have to get close enough to succeed. 

Thanks to his recently enhanced superhuman perception, he was confident he could sense any hostile action and escape using his super speed.

But the Ancient One seemed to have no intention of harming him. Holding the scepter, she murmured Stephen Strange's name softly. "Strange... No wonder I felt a familiar spell around you. It's from Strange."

After whispering Strange's name several times, she turned to Roger. "Alright, we can begin."

Roger sensed that her demeanor had softened since they first met, though he didn't pay much attention to it. He simply awaited her instructions.

"Hold your other Mind Stone in your hand," she said.

Roger obeyed, clutching the stone that had brought him to this universe in his palm.

"Now, close your eyes," she directed.

Roger gave her a long look, then shut his eyes. The Ancient One placed the tip of Loki's scepter against the hand holding the Mind Stone. Instantly, both the scepter and the stone emitted a blinding light.

"Finally, use your heart to sense... the other presence linked to the stone," the Ancient One instructed. Her voice and presence then vanished from his perception.

Roger kept his eyes closed, and through the Mind Stone, he felt a familiar psychic connection, Jean Grey's telepathic powers!

...

"Jean!!" he called out.

Within the void of consciousness, a small light representing Jean glowed faintly in response.

"Roger? Is that you?" came a weak reply.

"It's me!" Roger communicated, relief flooding him. "Are you okay?"

"I'm... fine. Where are you?"

"That's what I should be asking you. Where are you right now?" Roger refrained from explaining the complexities of Kamar-Taj or the Marvel Universe, as that would be too convoluted. He needed to pinpoint her location.

Jean hesitated. "I'm... with the Professor."

"?" Roger froze, then asked in astonishment, "The Professor? Charles?! You're with Charles Xavier?!"

Had Jean somehow returned to the X-Men universe?

What was going on? Some kind of forced recall?

Roger almost suspected that the dimensional vortex had malfunctioned, sending Jean, who wasn't properly marked by it, back to her world. But Jean quickly explained, "No, this Professor isn't the one I know. He's... older. He has no hair, and most of the people I know have died, including... including me."

"... Explain that in more detail."

Roger was even more confused. Sensing Jean's light dimming, he pressed her for more information.

"I don't fully understand," she replied. "But the Professor told me that years ago, I turned into the Phoenix and saved the Earth. After that, Cyclops led the X-Men for over a decade of peace. But a few years ago, the Sentinels returned..."

"Hold on. Sentinels?"

Roger was now thoroughly lost.

Based on Jean's description, he initially thought she had landed in a world set years after X-Men: Dark Phoenix. But... Sentinels? Weren't they only from X-Men: Days of Future Past?

"I don't know," Jean said. "I only just found out. Magneto told me about them. Though I haven't seen any Sentinels myself yet..."

"Where are you right now?" he asked.

"I'm at the Mutant Academy."

"The Academy hasn't been invaded by Sentinels??"

"I'm not sure," she replied. "The Professor says this place, though called the Academy, isn't the one I remember. It's a special space... used to hide from... the Sentinels."

Jean's voice was weakening further. "Jean?!" Roger called out urgently. "Stay there! I'll find a way to come to you. Until then, stay safe, okay?"

"I... understand... I'll... wait for you..." Jean's voice faded until it was gone.

Their communication ended. Roger opened his eyes to see the Ancient One in front of him.

"Why did the connection break?" he asked.

The Ancient One explained, "Your connection was made possible because your friend still carried residual energy from the Mind Stone. Such energy fades with time. Once it vanishes, the link between you will naturally break."

She handed Loki's scepter back to him. "But even though the connection ended, it seems you gained something. Your friend is safe?"

"She's... safe for now," Roger replied.

Based on Jean's description, she was in a relatively secure place. But how long that safety would last was uncertain.

The world she described was one of impending doom, plagued by Sentinels and hidden mutant sanctuaries.

"Andrea..."

Roger thought again of the previous traveler, Andrea Kelson. If anyone could have altered the X-Men universe's storyline, it was likely her.

The Ancient One, who was about to speak, looked puzzled when she heard the name. "What?"

"Sorcerer Supreme," Roger asked, "do you know anyone named Andrea Kelson?"

"I haven't heard of that name. Why?" she replied.

"... She was a Sorcerer Supreme," Roger revealed.

"?" The Ancient One was taken aback.

Roger opened his hand to reveal the Mind Stone. "This stone was left behind by her. My companion said that this Mind Stone is a coordinate... leading to this world. So I wanted to ask if you knew of her."

The Ancient One frowned, recalling past Sorcerer Supremes, then replied, "I'm sorry. There was no Sorcerer Supreme named Andrea Kelson in our history."

...

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