A Little Too Observant

As they continued walking, Matt's casual, confident strides made Alex even more suspicious. The guy carried himself like he knew exactly where everything was. Every step was perfectly placed, every turn flawless, and he never once hesitated despite supposedly being blind.

Eventually, they reached a large courthouse.

"Well, this is my stop," Matt said, tapping his walking stick on the steps. "Try not to break any more buildings today."

Alex squinted at him.

"You say that like you expect me to."

Matt gave him a polite smile. "Just a feeling."

Alex didn't know whether to feel complimented or threatened.

With a casual nod, Matt turned and walked up the steps, disappearing into the building.

Alex sighed. "Yeah. He's totally hiding something."

But he had bigger things to focus on.

An Idea – Go Find Doctor Strange

Jogging through the city, he mulled over everything that had changed about him. The strength, the speed, the abilities—he had all this power now, but he still had no real control over it.

Especially the Gauntlet.

Sure, he had figured out some things on instinct, but if he kept winging it like this, he was eventually going to erase himself from existence.

So he needed a teacher.

And if there was anyone in this world who knew how to use the Time Stone properly…

It was Doctor Strange.

"Yeah. That's it. I'll go see Strange."

The Sanctum Sanctorum (Had to really google the name x_x)

The towering, mystical mansion stood exactly where he remembered it, hidden in plain sight on Bleecker Street.

Alex knocked on the door.

No answer.

He knocked again.

Nothing.

Sighing, he muttered, "Screw it," and reached for the handle—

WHOOSH.

The doors suddenly opened on their own.

A cold breeze drifted out from inside, sending a shiver down Alex's spine. The interior was dark, the shifting shadows of floating candles casting an eerie glow along the walls.

Yeah. Super inviting.

Stepping inside, he cleared his throat. "Uh… Doctor Strange? You home?"

A flicker of movement.

A voice echoed from the dimly lit staircase.

"I was wondering when you'd show up."

Doctor Stephen Strange, Cloak of Levitation draped over his shoulders, descended the stairs, his usual unimpressed expression plastered across his face.

Alex exhaled. "Great. You knew I was coming."

Strange folded his arms. "You're carrying the most dangerous artifact in existence. I make it a habit to keep track of reality-breaking anomalies."

Alex winced. "Okay, you could've just said hello."

Strange ignored him. "What do you want?"

Alex got straight to the point. "I want you to teach me how to use the Time Stone."

Strange did not hesitate.

"No."

Alex blinked. "…No?"

Strange shook his head. "No."

Alex threw up his hands. "Okay, but why? You literally control time, and I have a freaking Infinity Stone strapped to my hand! What if I accidentally—"

"That's exactly why I'm not teaching you," Strange cut in.

He walked past Alex, picking up a book from a floating shelf. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that Stone is? The slightest misuse, and you won't just break time—you'll unravel it. You're not ready."

Alex clenched his jaw. "Then when will I be ready?"

Strange closed the book and finally met his gaze.

"When it's time."

Alex groaned. "You and your stupid cryptic wizard bullsh—"

Before he could finish, Strange raised a hand.

WHOOSH.

A portal appeared behind Alex.

Before he could react, he felt himself being sucked backward.

"WAIT, WAIT, WAIT—"

WHOOSH. (these effects are so childish *sigh)

The portal snapped shut.

Alex blinked.

He was back outside on the street.

"…Son of a—"

He kicked a nearby trash can, sending it flying into the next block.

Okay. Lesson learned.

Doctor Strange? Still a pain in the ass.