Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Astral projection is probably one of my favorite tricks that I've learned at Kamar Taj. Learning it however, was really weird.

There were two ways to really learn Astral projection, the first way was the harder, yet more traditional way of meditation and focus, and the second way is much more uncomfortable because a master would have to launch your astral projection several times from your body till you got the hang of it. The second option is only used when a student can't meditate for some reason or just can't get the hang of it.

I was lucky enough to not have to go that way.

A bonus to using Astral projections is the fact that while the Astral self is out of the body, the body rests. This allows me to read and study at night while my body gets its rest. This is how I was able to study and research all night long while still getting a good night's rest.

Using this process I was able to not only surpass my peers, but also grow in my knowledge by leaps and bounds, quickly leaping in the ranks of sorcerers to the point of Master. Much faster than the 'Lifetime' that the Ancient One claims it would take. It had actually taken about a year for me to get to this point.

Though, that isn't strictly true. I am not a Master of the Mystic arts yet, first I need to pass a test.

I have to choose a relic to use as my own.

No pressure?

There is no specific way to choose a relic I've been told, often time the magic of the relic will reach out to you as you look at it. Strange, having never done it and in the middle of a fight, didn't sense the Cloak of levitation until it was on him. At least that is my theory.

Currently I was walking through the Room of Ancient Relic 's in Kamar Taj, we had already gone through the three Sanctums and nothing really felt… Right. The closest thing that gave me any form of feedback was the supposed Axe of Angarruumus, but even that felt wrong somehow, incomplete. I had to admit though, there were some really cool relics in the various Sanctums. There was the Axe of Angarruumus, which literally hummed with power, the closest thing I could relate it to was Thors hammer when Thor was summoning that tornado in New Mexico. The only difference was Thor's hammer had more of an electric feel while this one was pure magic. The Ancient One, who was actually helping me to an extent, guiding me I guess, claimed that the Axe was completely indestructible and was capable of killing all forms of mythical creatures. It also had the neat ability to return to the wielders hand when thrown or dropped. Next was the Dragonfang Sword. Supposedly it was carved from the tusk of an extradimensional dragon (because regular dragons are so last season) by a powerful wizard named Kahji-Da, before being passed into the care of the Ancient One for safekeeping. It was completely indestructible, could absorb magic, and could shatter any barrier, magical or otherwise.

Next was the Wand of Watoomb. The same weapon Wong chooses at the end of Dr. Strange. It has the power to absorb magic and redirect it much more powerful than it was originally. Obviously it didn't help Wong as he died, but it was still interesting. There were also a few others like the Golden Mace of Hercules, The Amulet of Abbadon, The Wand of Xyggondo. And for some reason a baseball bat wrapped in enchanted barbed wire.

"Master…" I ask uncertainly. "Are you sure I'm ready? Nothing that has called to me has felt right."

"You are ready, don't think about what you think YOU need. Focus. Feel their magic intertwining with yours and find your relic."

She had said this already, several times and I was getting a tad bit frustrated with her. That didn't stop me from doing what she said though.

Closing my eyes, I try to focus on the various relics around the room. Sighing in frustration after about a minute, I look back at the Ancient One.

"It's here, its close, but I can't find out what!" I throw my hands up in frustration before simply running my hand through my hair.

She just smiles.

Sometimes she can be rather annoying.

Walking around the room one more time, I sigh again as I do-

Wait.

I almost missed it, It was almost like a whisper, barely heard over the hundreds of other relics in the room screaming out.

Reaching through some cobwebs, I grab something smooth with an ornate border to it. Picking it up, I look at it.

"A mirror?" I ask

"The Black Mirror. One of the most powerful Scrying tools in existence. It is capable of allowing the user to see into the future, the past, and into any dimension in the multiverse." She corrects. "Many a time I have found myself using this mirror to relive memories of old, but now it is yours."

Looking at the mirror I try to think of where I heard of it before. I don't remember it in the MCU, but that isn't saying much. If I remember correctly from the comics, it also allows the user to traverse dimensions. I guess that it is depowered here in order to not be over powered. Not to mention Sorcerers can hop dimensions with their sling rings anyway, so I guess a mirror that can do that is somewhat pointless. Though from what I remember it could also change its size.

"How do I use it?" I ask.

"Just think of what you want to see while calling upon your magic to activate it. Rather simple really."

Hmm…imagining it shrinking from about the size of an Ipad to the size of a phone, it follows my imagination and does just that.

Thinking for a second, I come up with an idea.

Charles Xavier.

Immediately an image of a bald, suit wearing, wheelchair bound man appeared, teaching numerous students about Philosophy.

Inhumans.

Suddenly I was looking at Black Bolt on the moon, sitting on his throne and watching over his court.

Atlantis.

Namor fighting some undersea monster I couldn't discern.

Magneto was…

He was talking to Sabertooth. That would be something to look out for.

Holy shit. The uses for this thing are astronomical. Plans start to flow through my head as I continue to search various characters from Marvel and see if they exist or just to see if I can see them.

Thor was drinking with the Warriors Three and Sif, Captain America was thawed and currently working out in a gym in Brooklyn, Black Cat was taking a shower.

Holy… Wow… she is really…

Off that topic. Bad Alex.

Anyway, Punisher was Punishing, Daredevil was kicking ass, and Nick fury was busy doing paperwork,

All in all, it proved that this little gem was going to be extremely useful.

Turning to the Ancient One, I bowed at the waist and then grinned.

"Thank you."

/

Using the Sling Ring, I appear several blocks from the Baxter building. I didn't know what kind of sensors they had, but I didn't doubt that they would sense me slinging in.

Going up to the top floor, dressed in my usual two piece suit with undone collar, The Black Mirror on my pocket the size of a flip phone, I put on one of my regular goofy grins and open the door to see The Fantastic Four all waiting on me. I called them from Kamar Taj to let them know I was coming over to see how they were doing and to help Reed with hi project. Luckily at the time Greer told me about it, I had already finished most of my training, so all I had to do was finish and hop on over.

"Hey guys!" I grin, "How is my favorite superhero team?"

Ben just laughs and claps my back, the force barely fazing me, but I act like it nearly nocks me down.

"Ha! We're doing good Kid." He laughs as he walks out of the room. Apparently he had a date with his girlfriend.

Johnny smirks and shakes my hand before claiming he is going to take a nap, apparently he has a date tonight and wants to be wide awake. Sue greeted me warmly with a hug and a smile, while Reed just shook my hand.

"I'll let you two scientists go at it. I still need to file some paperwork." Sue says as she leaves, her hips swaying on the way out.

"You Mr. Richards, are a lucky man." I say with a thumb pointed at her retreating form.

"I know." He smiles.

"Now what kind of experiment is this, Reed? Anything too dangerous?" I joke as I take off my suit jacket and roll up my sleeves.

"I'm going to be honest with you, Alex. I didn't ask you to come because of an experiment."

Pausing, I slowly turn to Reed while maintaining the goofy Alex Osborn demeanor.

"Then what did you call me for?"

"I know who you are. I know you are the Goblin." He says. "And before you ask, I turned off any and all security cameras and recording devices before I said that."

Chuckling a little, I look him in the eye. "Me? The Goblin? What gave you that idea? I'm nowhere near skilled enough to be the Goblin."

Frowning at my refusal, he walked over to his computer and pulled up some videos for me to watch. There were several of them and they all showed me training in some form or fashion. They stopped right before I changed my hideout from Oscorp tower to the Warehouse, so at least I know he doesn't know about that yet.

"Where did you get these." I ask. My entire demeanor changed from goofy billionaire to the Goblin in seconds.

"I hacked Oscorps security cameras. I wanted to know why a multi-million dollar company would waste money on us then completely ignore us other than funding. It made no sense."

"So you hacked my security, spied on me, and discovered my closest guarded secret?" I asked. My mouth was pressed into a thin line, and I knew I was glaring at him.

"Would you have done the same?" He asked.

"That doesn't matter." I growl at him. We both knew that I would. "Noone can know my identity. Noone but a select few that I trust can know. If my identity ends up in the hands of my enemies, they can use it to harm my family. I trust you Reed, but your security is shit. Delete the video's now or I will."

He just nods and deletes them. Sighing a bit in relief, I look at him.

"Thank you."

He nods again before stretching over and grabbing two chairs from the other side of the room, setting them down so we could talk.

"Why did you become the Goblin?" he asks after we sat down.

So I told him, the shortened version that didn't involve future knowledge or alternate dimensions or Extremis/Oz formula hybrid (Which I had recently named the Apex Formula) or anything, but I still told him the basics. He never interrupted either, he simply listened. Surprisingly enough, even though he hacked into my security and discovered my identity, I trusted him to a degree. In the comics he was always loyal to his family and friends. His only real issue was his genius and single mindedness at times. Kind of like how he was convinced during the comic Civil War that helping Tony was right. Hopefully in this reality he will choose something different if the Civil War ever happens.

If it happens at all.

Getting all of this off my chest however is surprisingly relieving though. I was able to tell him about my worries of being a hero, my fears, etc. and he just listened.

After about an hour of talking, most of which was spent me telling him my story then him asking questions on how my powers work, I check my watch.

"Holy cow… look at the time." I say. "Reed, thanks for listening, but I have a meeting in twenty minutes. Maybe we can continue this later?"

He grins at me. "Anytime."

Heading back downstairs, I prepare myself for my next meeting.

Stupid business deals. What I wouldn't give to go back to being a regular college student…