The Game Cafe in Marvel and DC

88 – Confrontation with Earth’s superpower

As the night passed and the next day arose, Zerref wondered how Logan was doing after the revelation. Sure, Charles could do some good, but that does not mean everything he has done can be condoned. For Christ's sake, he was the strongest telepath on the planet outside of Jean Gray or the Martians, but what has he used his power for? He had many chances to stop or influence his old friend Magento, but he did not. The same goes for many other situations; he has so much power and influence, yet while that power has corrupted him, he never used it to its full potential, so whether Logan killed Charles or not, Zerref did not care, so long as he never attacked of his employees again.

Shaking his many heads, Zerref looked upon the fractured dimensional door of his Cafe, which showed the outside world of his multiple entrances; the only difference was a new 'window' could be seen, showing off a brand new location, one that was quite...bizarre. Beyond the door was a strange futuristic city filled with dozens of Skyscrapers, flying cars, some kind of magnetic railroad, and so much green along with a clear starry sky while most of the city basked in light from the moon, making a beautiful scene before Zerref.

However, what gave away where this new entrance was happened to be the small army of men with spears, energy shields, flying ships, and so much more stood before the entrance, waiting for a possible attack.

At the front of said army? A figure in a decorative costume modeled after a particular animal, that anima? The Black Panther. Zerref's store has opened in one of the most isolationist countries and the most technologically advanced on Earth, Wakanda.

Deciding to open the entrance, Zerref waited for Black Panther or one of the Wakandian soldiers to step inside. The store would open in an hour, but it was the dead of night for Wakanda. If they were to become Customers, Zerref knew that he'd have to change the store hours. Perhaps it was finally time to go 24 hours?

Interrupted by the sound of the doors sliding open, Zerref and his many clones stopped and looked at the new customer, one Black Panther who stalked into the store, ready for a fight.

"Welcome, Black Panther," all of Zerref greeted at once, making the man clearly pause in place.

One of the Zerref clones stepped forward, "Welcome to my humble shop, Black Panther."

"Who are you?" Black Panther asked in accented English, concerned and cautious in his tone and posture as he gazed upon Zerref and his multiple clones.

"You may call me Zerref. While I would love to continue this conversation, I am afraid I will have to ask you to leave. The store has not opened yet, and we are not welcoming any guests," I informed the Prince or King before waving my hand, forcing them out of the store with a wave of energy before relocking the doors. While Black Panther climbed from the ground he was thrown onto, his army advanced forward, their spears and shields creating a barrier between the store and the Black Panther.

...

A bit later, Zerref opened the Cafe for business, unlocking all of the entrances and allowing a flood of customers to enter. They went about their business, buying food and drinks and buying the general goods available for cash and karma. A majority of the customers, however, hoped on a Computer and began their daily gaming session where they could experience another life in one of the games. Elder Scrolls was a rising star of the games, as a few thousand players played the games nearly daily.

Luckily, with the time limit imposed on the Computers, none of the newer customers could grind away endlessly for Credits; however, some of the customers who had been here longer than the store's rise in popularity had already begun purchasing some of the items on the credit store, one of which purchased the Conduit Serum that granted them powers. That customer? Catwoman. The power she received was certainly strange for her character. Her ability? The ability to manipulate light.

Strangely, Wakanda still hasn't interfered or entered the store since a few hours ago. Upon inspection, Zerref noticed that they had placed some kind of energy barrier around the entrance, patrolled by a larger army.

What were they expecting? An invasion? Shaking his head, Zerref was interrupted by the sight of Logan walking into the store, a figure hoisted on their shoulder as Logan carried them into the cafe.

"Logan?" One of the clones stepped forward, looking directly over Logan and the figure on his shoulder.

"I need your help," Logan asked, straight to the point.

"With?" Zerref asked, though already having a hint of what Logan wanted help with if the figure on his shoulder was anything to go by.

"I need help with Charles," Logan answered, gesturing towards the professor unconscious over his shoulder.

"And you brought him here?" Zerref asked with a tilt of his head.

"I had no other options," Logan said pointedly.

"Hmm, I can't do much about him unless you just want me to kill him. Oh, I do know one person who might be able to help. She's pretty old, but you didn't hear that from me," Zerref openly mocked, not even reacting to the orange circular portal that opened behind him that no one noticed besides Logan himself.

"It is quite rude to mention a woman's age, Zerref," A bald-headed woman spoke from behind the Zerref as she walked through the portal that led to some monetary-looking place.

"You heard?" Zerref stated, not really asking.

"I have, but what do you expect me to do about the man?" The woman asked, curious.

"You've been on this planet for how long? If you don't know what to do to limit or cripple Charles's powers, then very few others will, and I'd rather not consort with demons if I have the chance; thank you very much," Zerref pointed out a bit dismissively.

She threw Zerref a look but focused on Charles.

"Come with me," She waved her hand, beckoning Logan to follow her.

Watching as the three left through the portal, Zerref shook his head. Either way, Charles should at least be taken care of by the Ancient One or Logan before he becomes more of a threat.

Moments later, a bald-headed African woman in ornate red robes and a hidden weapon on her body stepped into the Cafe.

Instantly noticing the new arrival, Zeref couldn't help but sigh. This would be a long day.

...

Meanwhile, in Karmar-Taj, the Ancient One led Logan to her chamber.

"Set him on the ground," She gestured to the mat at the center of the room.

Logan was filled with questions as he looked upon the strange woman and everything that he had witnessed since he had stepped through the portal in the air. He had been teaching mutant children for over a decade, yet what he had witnessed so far was already reaching the border of his understanding.

Was the woman a mutant? 

Placing Charles on the ground as the woman asked, Logan stepped back as the woman kneeled down next to Charles's head.

"Who...are you?" Logan finally asked.

"You may call me the Ancient One, and I am a master here of this Monastery," The Ancient One introduced herself to Logan, not even looking in his direction before multiple orange sigils appeared before her palms as she brought them down to Charles's head.

Before Logan could ask, the Ancient One spoke as if she knew what he would say, "I am not a mutant, no. I am a practitioner of the mystic arts."