[New York City, New York]
Standing across the street from it Michael casually observed the New York Sanctum Sanctorum.
[Insert Image of the New York Sanctum Here]
Truly amazed by how unassuming it looked, despite its massive importance in relation to the mystic arts and it status in regards to protecting Earth and its inhabitants from various mystical and interdimensional threats.
'It's just like they say, looks can be deceiving.' Michael thought.
And in a world based on a comic book universe that statement held even more truth.
Moving on.
Taking a deep breathe, and then exhaling it, Michael decided it was finally time to get things moving. So with that he crossed the street and knocked on the front door of the New York Sanctum.
A few seconds after he did the door was opened up, and Michael found himself looking at a young Daniel Drumm.
The same Master of the Mystic Arts who guarded the New York Sanctum before getting killed in the first Doctor Strange film in his previous life.
[Insert Image of MCU Daniel Drumm Here]
"Yes, young man, how may I help you?" Daniel asked. Observing Michael.
"I've come here to seek teaching in the ways of the mystic arts." Michael replied. Seeing no reason to hide in intentions. For he knew that would only make learning magic from the Masters of the Mystic Arts all the more difficult.
"I do not know what you speak of young man, this is si-"
"-Please do not insult my intelligence sir." Michael interrupted. "For despite not knowing how to use it I know that magic exists and that this place is a stronghold for your order. Who have taken it upon themselves to protect the world from mystical threats ever since it founding ages ago. And as I just stated I have come here to learn the ways of magic. So, how this going to go down?"
Finding himself speechless Daniel's body tensed slightly, and he began observing Michael even more closely than before. Then after a few seconds he responded.
"Understood. Please, come in." Daniel said.
"Thank you...?" Michael trailed off.
"Daniel. You may call me Daniel." Master Drumm said.
"Right, Daniel." Michael replied.
Following behind Daniel straight into the New York Sanctum.
Where a second after he did so Michael heard the doors slamming shut behind him, and then a second later found himself restrained by eldritch energy whips, courtesy of Daniel.
Well it's not like he didn't expect this response. Given how he just made his entrance.
So with that in mind Michael simply waited patiently, not fighting at all when Daniel called for other members of the order, who then escorted him to a room. Where he was then forced into, and stuck waiting for, from what his internal clock told him, an hour.
Until eventually the doors to the room opened up and another familiar face walked in.
The Ancient One.
Who was also the female version from the MCU.
[Insert Image of MCU Ancient One Here]
As she entered the room the doors closed behind her, while she walked calmly towards Michael.
The latter knowing despite the calmness in her steps the Ancient One was observing every single one of his actions, and would be ready to strike him down if he made one wrong move.
Since at the moment Michael knew she was one of the most powerful beings currently living on Earth. Especially with the Infinity Stone, the Time Stone, in her possession.
Coming to a stop in front of Michael the Ancient One put a small smile on her face. "Hello there, young Michael."
"Hello ma'am." Michael replied. "Sorry, but I didn't catch your name."
"You may call me the Ancient One." She replied.
"Alright then Ancient One." Michael replied. "Nice you meet you. My name is Michael Holt, though you probably already know that."
"Indeed I do Mr. Holt." The Ancient One replied. "Now then, with introductions of the way, let's get to the matter at hand. I hear you wish to learn the ways of the mystic arts from our order?"
"That is correct." Michael replied. "If you'll have me."
"That is the question isn't it." The Ancient One mused.
"Yes, it is. And one I would like answered as quickly as possible if you don't mind." Michael spoke.
"What's your rush Mr. Holt?" The Ancient One asked.
"I would simply like to know if I'm wasting my time or not is all." Michael spoke. "And if I am then I'll leave and never contact you or any member of your order ever again."
"But if that were the case it would be harder to obtain the knowledge you seek, would it not?" The Ancient One asked.
"Sure." Michael replied. "But then again I'm not one too give up just become things become a bit difficult." He explained.
"Yes." The Ancient One spoke. "You do indeed seem to be that type of person. As well as one who keeps many secrets, are you not?" She asked.
Michael making sure he didn't flinch in the slightest. For he knew the powers of the Ancient One and didn't want her tripping him up.
"Yes, you are correct." Michael replied. "But then everyone has secrets, don't they?" He asked. "And sometimes people don't just keep secrets to protect themselves but to protect others as well. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes, you're quite right." The Ancient One replied.
Her face an expressionless mask, giving nothing away.
Though Michael didn't expect anything less from a woman who's been alive for centuries.
The two of them stared at each other in silence for several seconds, before the Ancient One decided to break it.
"I must admit Mr. Holt, you are a very interesting individual."
"Why thank you." Michael replied. "Though that still doesn't answer my question. Will you and your order train me in the ways of the mystic arts?"
"You see young Michael that is as much our decision as it is yours." The Ancient One cryptically replied.
"Sorry, what does that me-"
Michael began to say.
But before he could finish he found the Ancient One had closed the distance between them, and then before he could react she struck him dead center in his chest with her palm.
Leading to Michael soul being ejected from his body.
"Fuuckkk!!!"
As well as him screaming his ass off.
***
"Shit, shit, shit!!!"
Michael screamed at the top of his lungs, while his soul rapidly spread from one dimension to the next. Leading him to see several things.
He saw massive titans flattening the Earth until nothing was left.
He saw squid-like creatures in a dimension of near-perpetual darkness.
He saw a star being born.
He also technology engraved with magic symbols.
Michael saw all of this and more, his mind working overtime to comprehend it all, until eventually everything just went black in an instant.
***
"Agghh!!!!"
Michael screamed.
Finding himself needing to take several breaths to calm himself.
And when he did he quickly moved his hands across his body, finding himself back in.
"I'm back." Michael said.
"Why yes Mr. Holt, you are." The Ancient One said. "Did you enjoy your trip?"
"It was unlike everything I've ever experienced." Michael easily admitted. Now having a better understanding of how Strange felt in the films when the same thing happened to him. "And if you'll allow me I would like to learn from you to understand everything I just perceived. So if you're willing, please, teach me?" He asked.
"Of course." The Ancient One replied. "I was already going to do that anyway Mr. Holt." She revealed.
Leading Michael to stare at the Ancient One, who had a slight smirk on her face.
Seeing this made him want to sigh, but he held it in.
Especially since he had just taken the first step to accomplishing his goal of learning magic.
Standing up to his feet Michael followed the Ancient One out of the room they were in.
Once he did she then explained to everyone in the New York Sanctum that she had chosen to let him train with their order in the ways of the mystic arts.
Following that she then took him to Kamar-Taj.
Michael learning the films didn't do the place justice.
[Insert Image of Kamar-Taj Here]
It was more beautiful than he could've imagined.
"Amazing place, isn't it?" The Ancient One asked.
"Yes, it is." Michael replied.
Once again finding himself lucky he was going to learn actual magic in such a place.
***
Dressed in his new initiate robes, which he received the previous night, Michael stood with other new recruits for the order, in the middle the courtyard. The morning sun hanging bright in the sky.
All of them quietly conversed among themselves, until a senior member of the order came to stand before them.
The senior member being none other than Wong.
[Insert Image of MCU Wong Here]
"Greetings initiates, my name is Wong." Wong spoke. "Your instructor for today. Now, let us begin!" He exclaimed.
Once he did Wong began leading Michael and the other initiates through the basic steps in regards to their mystic arts training.
A task they did for over a month, until they moved up slightly.
Namely to Sling Rings.
"These are known as Sling Rings. They will help you focus the mystical energies and in turn assist you with creating portals. Like so." Wong spoke.
He then opened up a portal with his Sling Ring easily. Shutting it a few seconds later. "You're next task is to open your own portal. Then once you do you'll move on in your training. Now, begin!"
"Yes!" Michael and the other students shouted in unison.
They all then began trying to open portals with the assistance of their Sling Rings.
Though no one succeeded.
Not even Michael.
That is until his third day of training with the Sling Ring, where he opened up a portal with hardly any effort.
Leading to his fellow students, and even Wong, being shocked.
"So, what's next?" Michael asked Wong. Snapping his fingers to the portal shut.
***
Once he was able to open the portal Michael's training in the mystic arts was accelerated. So much so he was recognized as a full-fledged master by the Ancient One in just four months.
A feat that few in the orders history had ever been able to accomplish, save for those like the Ancient One herself.
Though Michael took it in stride.
He didn't let it go to his head. For he knew he still had much left to learn.
That's why after receiving his master status from the Ancient One he spent two more months at Kamar-Taj with the Masters of the Mystic Arts. Refining his magical skills. As well as honing his martial arts and weapons skills with them.
He also researched mental magic, and discovered a way to protect his mind from any unwanted intrusion. Given that Charles Xavier is a real person in his new universe, not to mention others in the future he would encounter that might try and take a look in his head.
And he can't have that, considering his past life's knowledge.
That's another reason Michael decided to learn magic.
But after the six months came to an end he bid the Ancient One and the Masters of the Mystic Arts farewell.
He then set out to do what he told his family he was going to do and take a trip across the world.
Stonehenge, Big Ben, the Taj Mahal. Brazil, South Africa, Istanbul, etc...
Michael visited those places and a couple more.
Eventually returning home the following year shortly before his eighteenth birthday took place.
Where his family threw him yet another surprise party.
Stepping into his room that night, Michael had a stupid smile on his face. "Man, what a night." He mused.
As he did ADAM came online. "I take it your birthday celebration went well?"
"It sure did ADAM, it sure did." Michael replied to his AI friend. "But that's enough partying for a while. Now it's time we get to work." He said. Putting a serious expression on his face.
It was time for Michael Holt to show the world just how Terrific he really was.