The energy of the sparring match with Naruto lingered in Alexander long after he returned to his own world. The feeling of raw power, mastery, and the rush of testing his limits was exhilarating. But as he walked back into the bustling corridors of Midtown High the next morning, the duality of his life hit him with the force of a tidal wave. Here, he was just Alex Hayes, the new kid. Out there, he was something far greater.
As he settled into his seat in chemistry class, Peter Parker glanced back and gave him a friendly nod. Ned, sitting beside Peter, leaned over with a grin. "Hey, Alex! Did you check out that robotics paper I told you about?"
Alexander gave a noncommittal nod, already feeling the edges of distraction pulling at him. The system panel's soft glow reappeared in his peripheral vision, a reminder of his recent chat activity.
Geralt of Rivia: "If you're as skilled as you appeared yesterday, you'll be useful when things get rough. Keep training, boy."
Tony Stark: "I see you're making friends in strange places, Hayes. Don't forget who the original genius is here."
Naruto Uzumaki: "That was awesome, Alex! Next time, ramen's on me!"
Suppressing a grin, Alexander shifted in his chair. The classroom dissolved around him as he replayed the fight in his mind. How long would it be before this dual life collided, or worse, was exposed?
Stark Tower: Tinkering with Truth
At the same time, Tony Stark was not one to let a mystery simmer. He paced his lab, eyes darting between holographic blueprints and readouts, all tracking the anomaly that was Alexander Hayes. The device that had appeared in his lab days earlier had been dissected, analyzed, and reconstructed. It was unlike anything he had seen, advanced beyond even his cutting-edge tech.
"Jarvis, pull up all data on Alexander Hayes," Tony commanded, the gears of his mind whirring.
"Data is limited, sir. He appears as a recent transfer to Midtown High with no significant digital footprint prior to this month," Jarvis replied.
Tony's brow furrowed. A person with powers capable of crossing dimensions couldn't possibly be this much of a ghost. Stark resolved to find answers—and to do it soon.
Lunch at Midtown High: Secrets and Suspicions
The cafeteria buzzed with life as students filled tables with trays of pizza and cartons of milk. Alexander sat with Peter and Ned, who were deep in conversation about their robotics club project. He nodded along, attention split between their words and the persistent hum of the system panel.
"Hey, Alex," Peter said, snapping him back to reality. "You've been zoning out a lot lately. Everything okay?"
Ned leaned in, eyes wide with conspiracy theories. "Yeah, man, you look like you're hiding a big secret. Are you... a spy or something?"
Alexander laughed, the sound too quick and too loud. "I wish. Just didn't sleep well last night."
Peter's expression softened, but a hint of curiosity remained. "Well, if you ever want to talk or need help with anything, we're here, okay?"
The sincerity in Peter's eyes tugged at Alexander's conscience. He nodded, feeling the weight of his hidden life press down on him.
Before he could respond, his phone buzzed. A new message from the Multiverse Chat Group appeared on the screen, and Alexander's pulse quickened.
Dr. Strange: "Hayes. We need to talk. The multiverse is stirring, and your presence has not gone unnoticed."
A chill raced down his spine. If Stephen Strange knew about him, then his life in this universe was on the cusp of a seismic shift. The Sorcerer Supreme didn't make casual conversation.
Meeting of Fate: The Sanctum Sanctorum
That evening, Alexander stood before the imposing structure of the Sanctum Sanctorum. The building loomed over the quiet New York street, an air of mystery shrouding its facade. He took a deep breath, nerves taut, and stepped inside. The doors opened of their own accord, leading him into the dimly lit chamber filled with relics, artifacts, and the scent of aged parchment.
Dr. Strange stood at the center, his cloak draped regally over his shoulders, eyes sharp and unyielding. "Alexander Hayes," he said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "You're not from here, are you?"
Alexander swallowed, the room closing in around him. "No," he admitted, his voice steady despite the storm brewing in his chest. "I'm not."
The Sorcerer Supreme nodded, fingers tracing the air as sparks of magic flickered into existence. "The multiverse is vast and unpredictable. You may think you have control, but powers like yours attract attention from forces you can't begin to comprehend."
Alexander stood straighter, meeting Dr. Strange's gaze. "Then teach me. I don't want to just survive this—I want to be ready."
A small smile tugged at the corner of Strange's lips. "Good answer. Let's begin."