Chapter 17: Glasses Lost, Plans Made

Chapter 17: Glasses Lost, Plans Made

POV: Harry Potter

Harry Potter was frantic. His heart pounded as he scurried around the tiny cupboard under the stairs. His Aunt Petunia's shrill voice pierced through the thin walls, echoing in his ears like nails on a chalkboard.

"Harry! Stop wasting time and find those glasses! I won't have you loafing about when there's work to be done!"

Harry groaned, squinting at the mess of clothes and old toys that littered the floor of his cramped space. He had only just gotten a new pair of glasses a few days ago after Dudley "accidentally" broke the last pair with a gleeful stomp. Now, as luck would have it, these new ones were nowhere to be found.

"I swear they were right here," Harry muttered to himself, patting down his pockets and scanning the dusty shelves. His old glasses, with their crooked frame and scratched lenses, sat mockingly on the table. Aunt Petunia had already made it clear: if Harry didn't find his new glasses, he'd have to use the old ones for at least a year. A whole year of blurry vision and headaches.

"Where are they?" Harry whispered desperately, crawling on his hands and knees.

From the kitchen, Uncle Vernon's booming voice joined the fray. "If you don't find them soon, boy, you'll regret it! Those glasses cost good money!"

Harry's face burned with frustration and embarrassment. The truth was, he had no idea where they had gone. He thought about the chores awaiting him after this debacle, the taunts from Dudley, and the endless scolding from his aunt and uncle. Life at Privet Drive wasn't just unfair—it was downright miserable.

"Maybe they'll just fall out of the sky," he muttered bitterly, plopping down in defeat.

POV: Barrett Wayne

In the luxurious study of Wayne Manor, Barrett Wayne sat comfortably in a leather chair, deep in thought. His fox, the juvenile nine-tailed spirit creature, lay curled up at his feet, purring softly like a cat. Its illusion of being a common feline was flawless, even fooling Alfred, who often gave it the occasional pat on the head.

Barrett, however, wasn't focused on his loyal companion. His thoughts were elsewhere, fixated on the golden ticket he held in his hands—the random movie ticket. For the past two years, he had been preparing meticulously for this very moment.

"Ultron," Barrett called, his voice calm but commanding.

"Yes, Master Barrett?" Ultron's cool, metallic voice echoed from the device on the desk. After two years of tinkering and countless tests, the AI had become a crucial part of Barrett's operations. It had access to all his systems, storage, and even the fox's status, ensuring efficiency in everything Barrett did.

Barrett spun the ticket between his fingers, staring at it as if it held the secrets to the universe. "I need you to analyze this. If I use it, what are the odds I land somewhere... survivable?"

"Survivable is a subjective term," Ultron replied dryly. "If your definition includes locations with less than a 50% mortality rate, then your chances are approximately 83.4%."

Barrett smirked, shaking his head. "Comforting as always, Ultron."

"I strive to please," the AI retorted. "May I remind you that the ticket's destination is random, which means your odds are inherently unpredictable. Preparing for every contingency would be... exhausting."

Barrett leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. He had already spent the last month preparing for this. His storage space was packed to capacity, filled with survival gear, magical supplies, and basic necessities. His fallen angel powers were honed enough to give him a fighting chance in most scenarios, but he knew better than to rely solely on brute strength.

"What about you?" Barrett asked. "If I take you with me, how adaptable are you to different worlds?"

"Extremely adaptable," Ultron replied. "However, my effectiveness may vary depending on the technological and magical environment. For example, if we land in a world dominated by magic, I may require some... creative solutions to maintain functionality."

Barrett nodded. He had already anticipated this. Over the past month, he had tasked Ultron with studying various fictional universes, feeding it data on their unique rules and characteristics. From the dystopian wastelands of Mad Max to the wizarding world of Harry Potter, Ultron had absorbed it all.

"I'll admit," Barrett said with a chuckle, "there's something oddly thrilling about the uncertainty of it all. I could end up in a place like Endgame, facing Thanos, or in a completely harmless romantic comedy."

"I highly doubt the latter," Ultron replied. "Your luck doesn't strike me as particularly mundane."

Barrett laughed, placing the ticket on the desk. "Alright, let's not delay this any longer. Fox, you ready?"

The spirit fox perked up at the sound of his voice, its three tails swishing lazily. It yawned, stretching its illusion-cloaked body before curling back up. Barrett took that as a yes.

"Here goes nothing," he muttered, holding the ticket between his fingers. He felt a surge of energy as the ticket activated, enveloping him in a golden light. The study around him dissolved, replaced by an unfamiliar landscape.

Barrett found himself standing in a vast, arid desert. The sun blazed overhead, and a dry, hot wind swept across the dunes. He shielded his eyes with one hand, scanning the horizon. Sand stretched as far as the eye could see, broken only by the occasional rocky outcrop.

"Ultron," Barrett said, his voice low but steady. "Where are we?"

There was a brief pause before Ultron replied. "Analyzing... Based on the atmospheric composition, architecture, and the general lack of advanced technology, we appear to be in an ancient desert civilization. Likely somewhere in Egypt."

Barrett's brow furrowed. "Egypt? Ancient Egypt?"

"Possibly," Ultron confirmed. "However, there are discrepancies. The language and cultural elements I'm detecting suggest a timeline closer to the late 1920s or 1930s."

Barrett nodded slowly, his mind racing. He had seen enough movies and read enough books to recognize the setting. This wasn't just Egypt—it was the world of The Mummy.

"Alright," he said, his voice calm but filled with resolve. "Let's scout the area. Fox, stay close."

The spirit fox, still cloaked in its cat-like illusion, leapt onto his shoulder with practiced ease. Barrett extended his wings, cloaking them in an illusion to make them invisible to the naked eye. With a powerful beat, he launched himself into the air, soaring high above the desert sands.

From above, the landscape came into focus. To the north, he spotted a bustling campsite filled with people—archaeologists, treasure hunters, and workers. To the south, a series of ancient ruins jutted out from the sand, their faded carvings hinting at long-lost secrets.

"Ultron, keep an eye on that camp," Barrett said, his voice firm. "I want to know who's there and what they're up to. Meanwhile, let's see what these ruins have to offer."

"Understood," Ultron replied. "Deploying observational drones."

Barrett smirked. He didn't know what lay ahead, but one thing was certain: this was going to be one hell of an adventure.