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The portal shimmered with energy, its edges pulsating softly as Jakub stepped through. The air around him shifted, and with a single step, the familiar serenity of Kamar-Taj was left behind, replaced by the bustling chaos of New York City. He emerged inside the grand hall of the Sanctum Sanctorum, the ancient building standing as a quiet sentinel amidst the modern world. Wong stood at his side, his usual calm expression unshaken by the change in environment.
"Welcome to the Sanctum," Wong said, gesturing around. The space was vast and filled with strange relics and mystical artifacts. "This will be your new home."
Jakub took in his surroundings, awe flickering in his eyes. Despite his years of training, this was a world he had never truly been a part of. The outside world, with its people, its noise, its unpredictability—this was new to him. He had spent so long in the controlled confines of the Mirror Dimension and Kamar-Taj that stepping into the real world felt like entering another dimension entirely.
Wong led him through the Sanctum, explaining various points of interest. They passed other disciples and sorcerers, who nodded politely as they walked by. Eventually, Wong stopped at a large, intricately carved door and opened it.
"This is your room," Wong said.
Jakub stepped inside, and his eyes widened slightly. The room was much larger than he had expected. The high ceilings and grand windows let in streams of natural light, and there was ample space for his belongings—though, in truth, he didn't have many. A large bed stood against the wall, with a simple desk and a few chairs nearby.
"Bigger than I thought it'd be," Jakub said with a small smile, clearly impressed.
Wong raised an eyebrow. "You'll need the space. The Ancient One wants you to be comfortable."
Jakub walked further into the room and, without thinking, used his psionics to lift his suitcase off the floor and gently set it on the bed. He turned to Wong and shrugged casually. "So, I need new clothes. I can't exactly walk around New York City in robes. I'd stand out, and not in a good way."
Wong sighed, already knowing where this conversation was headed. "And how do you plan on paying for these new clothes?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in challenge.
Jakub grinned. "I was hoping you could handle that. After all, I'm a fifteen-year-old kid who was trained in sorcery, not in making money."
Wong sighed heavily, but there was a faint hint of amusement in his eyes. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek, black card, handing it to Jakub. "Here. The Ancient One wanted you to have this. It's loaded with funds, but don't spend recklessly."
Jakub laughed. "I'll try to control myself. But... you're coming with me, right? I have no idea where to go."
Wong crossed his arms. "Yes, I'll be going with you. No chance I'm letting you wander around unsupervised."
With that, the two made their way out into the city. New York buzzed with life, and Jakub found himself staring at everything—the towering skyscrapers, the flashing billboards, the people rushing past, all consumed with their own lives. It was overwhelming but exhilarating at the same time. For the first time in years, Jakub felt something like freedom.
They entered a busy shopping district, and Jakub wasted no time picking out clothes. He grabbed a variety of items—casual shirts, jeans, jackets, shoes, and accessories—filling up the bags as they went. Wong watched silently, occasionally shaking his head as Jakub piled more onto him.
"I feel like your personal mule," Wong muttered, carrying several shopping bags in each hand.
Jakub laughed, clearly enjoying himself. "Come on, Wong. Lighten up. It's not every day you get to do this."
Wong rolled his eyes but didn't argue. As they walked, Jakub marveled at the sheer variety of life around him. The city was alive with energy in a way that Kamar-Taj never was. People were laughing, shouting, rushing to their destinations. For Jakub, this was a glimpse into the life he had always wanted but never had the chance to experience.
But then, as they rounded a corner, Jakub's carefree attitude was interrupted. He felt a sudden bump, and he instinctively reached out to steady himself. Looking down, he realized he had bumped into a boy around his age, who had stumbled to the ground.
"Sorry about that," Jakub said, reaching out to help the boy up.
The boy, frazzled and wide-eyed, accepted the hand, but behind him, Jakub noticed something else—two larger boys, both smirking with cruel intent, were closing in.
"Well, well, well. Looks like Parker's found himself a weirdo friend," sneered one of the bullies, a blonde with a cocky grin. "Look at him. Dressed like he's from a monastery. What's the matter, freak? Can't find normal clothes?"
Jakub's gaze shifted between the two boys and the smaller one—Parker, apparently—who was now standing behind him, looking terrified. The bullies' words rolled off Jakub easily, but he could feel the fear radiating off Parker. He sighed inwardly. He didn't want trouble, not on his first day out.
"Just leave the kid alone, alright?" Jakub said calmly, his tone non-threatening but firm. "He hasn't done anything to you."
The bullies laughed, clearly unimpressed. "Oh, you're gonna protect him now, huh?" the blonde one said, stepping closer. "Beat it, freak. Give us Parker, and maybe we won't mess you up too bad."
Jakub glanced around. People were staring, some with phones out, recording the whole thing, but no one was stepping in to help. Typical. His instincts told him to handle this quickly, but he knew he couldn't use his powers openly, not here.
He turned to Parker and said, "Let's just walk away."
As they began to walk, one of the bullies grabbed Jakub's arm, yanking him back. "I thought I told you to beat it, freak."
Jakub turned slowly, his eyes flashing with an eerie green glow for a split second before he reined it in. He met the bully's gaze and smiled—an unsettling, dangerous smile.
"Let go of my arm," Jakub said softly. "Before I make you regret it."
The bully's grip tightened for a moment, but Jakub was faster. With a swift, practiced motion, he twisted free and used the martial arts he had spent years mastering. He dodged the first punch effortlessly, his body fluid and controlled, before delivering a sharp kick to the boy's legs, sending him crashing to the ground. The other bully charged, but Jakub sidestepped, using his momentum to flip him onto his back with a thud.
Both boys groaned in pain, sprawled out on the pavement, and the crowd began murmuring, whispering as they watched the scene unfold. Jakub didn't linger. He grabbed Parker's hand and pulled him away, running through the streets and leaving the trouble behind.
They didn't stop until they reached a quiet alleyway, the noise of the city fading slightly. Parker was panting, breathless, while Jakub seemed unaffected, his breathing steady as if nothing had happened.
"You okay?" Jakub asked, looking Parker over.
The more he looked at Parker, the more familiar he seemed. But Jakub couldn't quite place him.
Parker nodded, still catching his breath. "Yeah... I'm fine. Thanks for... y'know, stepping in."
Jakub smiled, a casual, easy grin. "No problem. Who were those guys?"
Parker sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "Bullies. Flash Thompson and his crew. They pick on me all the time."
"Ah," Jakub said, a sympathetic look crossing his face. "Well, they won't bother you for a while, I think."
Parker chuckled nervously, then extended his hand. "I'm Peter, by the way. Peter Parker."
Jakub froze for a moment, his heart skipping a beat. Peter Parker. Now he recognized him—the name, the face, the history. But he quickly composed himself, taking Peter's hand.
"Jakub," he said, offering a smile. "Jakub Maxwell."
Peter smiled back, his usual shyness fading slightly. "Thanks again for helping me out. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Jakub waved it off. "It's fine. Just don't let them get to you."
He glanced at his watch and cursed under his breath. "Oh, crap. Wong's going to kill me. I've been gone too long."
Peter looked confused, but before he could say anything, Jakub was already jogging away. "I'll see you around, Peter!" he called over his shoulder.
Peter stood there, stunned, watching as Jakub disappeared into the crowd, wondering who this mysterious boy was.
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After leaving Peter behind, Jakub found himself weaving through the busy streets of New York City, adrenaline still coursing through his veins. The experience with the bullies had been exhilarating, but now he had to face Wong. He'd promised to meet him, and he had a feeling that Wong wouldn't be too pleased with his little adventure.
It took Jakub about ten minutes to find Wong. He hadn't really thought about where he might be, but he felt a slight pull from the Sanctum, guiding him back. As he walked, he subtly used a bit of his psionic abilities, tuning into the energy around him to help locate Wong's presence. After a few moments, he spotted Wong standing outside a quaint café, arms crossed, a look of impatience on his face.
Jakub approached him, trying to appear casual despite the nervous flutter in his stomach. "Hey, Wong!" he called out, putting on his best smile. "You won't believe the shopping spree we just had!"
Wong raised an eyebrow, his expression a mixture of annoyance and concern. "Where have you been? I told you not to leave my sight?"
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They MET, but there will be more, and in a couple of chapters Wanda and Jakub will meet face to face.
What do you guys think about the story so far?