New York, Queens
The streets of Queens were alive with a steady hum of activity. Cars of all makes and models sped by, each vehicle navigating the crowded lanes with purpose. Amidst the bustle, a sleek black car weaved smoothly through the traffic. At the wheel was Phil Coulson, driving with the calm confidence of a seasoned operative. Beside him, Natasha Romanoff sat, absently scrolling through her phone as though nothing unusual lay ahead.
In the backseat, Bruce Banner gazed out at the cityscape, his expression a mix of nostalgia and apprehension. Beside him sat Brock Rumlow, the rugged Special Operations Team Captain. Rumlow was meticulously wiping down his Beretta pistol, each stroke of the cloth bringing out a deeper, almost sinister gleam from the weapon's black finish.
Breaking the silence, Bruce turned to Rumlow, curiosity shining in his eyes. "Rumlow, has S.H.I.E.L.D. been studying magic for long? Have they figured out how these magical potions actually work?"
It had only been two days since Bruce's first encounter with Natasha, who initially introduced herself under the alias "Irena." She had approached him with a compelling offer—membership in an elite organization. Though Bruce hadn't immediately accepted, he couldn't deny the allure of the potion she had provided him. One taste, and he felt a control over his transformations that had always eluded him. It was, for Bruce, like discovering an oasis after wandering the desert for years.
This magic, this potion, was a miracle that he couldn't overlook.
After much deliberation, he finally decided to cautiously explore the offer. The legitimacy of S.H.I.E.L.D., coupled with their alignment with his moral compass, swayed him enough to walk through the doors of their headquarters, the Trident Building. There, he met the enigmatic one-eyed Director, Nick Fury, and learned that "Irena" was, in fact, Natasha Romanoff, the infamous Black Widow.
But none of that prepared him for what Fury revealed next—the world of magic, hidden beneath the mundane, and the true potential of the mysterious potions. For a scientist like Bruce, with seven doctorates, accepting the reality of magic required a monumental shift. And yet, the evidence was undeniable.
He'd even agreed, tentatively, to join the so-called Avengers Initiative, conditional upon gaining further insights into the mystical arts and perhaps finding a permanent solution to his own affliction.
Rumlow chuckled at Bruce's question, pausing his meticulous polishing. After holstering his pistol, he replied with a trace of awe in his voice. "Truth be told, Dr. Banner, I don't know much about magic myself. But I've seen its power firsthand."
Rumlow's eyes glinted with a reverence bordering on fanaticism. "We were on a mission, deep behind enemy lines. The enemy had us surrounded—combat aircraft, artillery, you name it. We were ready to accept our fate. And then, out of nowhere, a wizard appeared. In under a minute, he had neutralized every threat. Helicopter dropped from the sky, enemy forces fell back, and even their long-range missiles disappeared like they'd never existed."
Bruce's brow furrowed in astonishment. "You're serious?"
"Dead serious," Coulson chimed in from the front, his voice calm and steady. "The Wizard's name is Gilderoy Lockhart. We refer to him as Professor Lockhart. He's a top-tier magic user and maintains a collaborative relationship with S.H.I.E.L.D."
Coulson continued, "Our destination today is, in fact, one of Professor Lockhart's establishments. It's called Vientiane Cafe."
Bruce leaned back, mulling over the name. "Vientiane Cafe," he murmured. "Will I have a chance to meet Professor Lockhart?"
"I'm afraid not, Dr. Banner," Coulson replied, shaking his head. "We didn't notify him in advance. Perhaps next time."
Coulson's tone was professional, but Bruce noticed the underlying caution. The Hulk was S.H.I.E.L.D.'s ace in the hole, and they had to be careful not to risk drawing Lockhart's interest too early.
Rumlow smirked at Coulson's careful reasoning, though he quickly masked his amusement. Bruce felt a pang of disappointment but knew better than to push. For now, he would content himself with exploring the enigmatic Vientiane CAfe.
Click.
The sudden sound of the car's locking mechanism disengaging snapped Bruce from his thoughts.
"Dr. Banner, we've arrived," Coulson announced as he gently applied the brakes, bringing the vehicle to a smooth halt.
Bruce glanced out the window, confused. They were on a quiet, almost deserted street. "Are we here?" he asked uncertainly.
"Almost," Coulson replied. He retrieved a silver suitcase, opened the door, and stepped out. "We're close, but we need a specific means of entry to reach Vientiane Cafe."
Bruce followed, watching with growing curiosity as Coulson opened the suitcase to reveal a sleek black card and a small, intricate device resembling a card reader.
With calm precision, Coulson inserted the card into the device and pressed a red button. In an instant, a beam of silver-white light shot forward, expanding until it formed a doorway. As it slowly opened, Bruce glimpsed an immense square on the other side, bathed in a soft, otherworldly glow.
"Welcome to the Vientiane Cafe," Coulson announced, stepping through the portal.
Bruce stared, momentarily awestruck. "This... this is…?"
"A different dimension," Coulson replied with a note of reverence. "According to Professor Lockhart, this space is tethered to Earth but exists in a parallel reality."
After a final nod of reassurance, Coulson led the way through the portal, with Rumlow, Natasha, and Bruce close behind. As soon as they stepped through, the doorway dissolved into a cascade of silver light, which dispersed like stardust into the air.
They hadn't walked far when a gentle voice echoed around them. "Hello, and welcome to Vientiane World You are now at the Teleportation Square."
Everyone looked up to see a small, winged figure hovering in mid-air. She resembled a child-like elf from mythology, with delicate wings, bright eyes, and a smile that seemed to sparkle.
"I am Shana, your guide. If you have questions, I am here to assist," she announced in a melodic voice.
Coulson examined the hovering figure with a mix of surprise and suspicion. The last time he had visited Vientiane World, no such creature had existed. "Shana, are you an elf from mythology? And isn't this the Vientiane Cafe" he asked, his tone cautious.
The little creature giggled, her wings fluttering with amusement. "Oh, no, Mr. Coulson. We're specially refined magical guides created by Lord Lockhart, designed to assist visitors in Vientiane World. And Master Lockhart change the name to be more fit to the new renovation"
"Can you help us navigate?" Coulson asked after a brief pause.
"Certainly," Shana replied, her expression brightening. "Please present your magic card. Guidance services cost just one magic point. If you don't have a card, you can register at the station ahead and receive a free Level 5 magic card, complete with 100 magic points. And for today only, the first ten registrants will receive a Level 4 magic card with extra storage capacity!"
Coulson's brow twitched slightly, recognizing the classic membership model at play. Nonetheless, he pulled out S.H.I.E.L.D.'s issued magic card and presented it to Shana.
She touched the card briefly, then flapped her wings and hovered back. "One magic point has been deducted. I am now at your service," she announced. "Where would you like to go first? Vientiane World offers a leisure area, trading area, and practice area."
"Take us to the trading area," Coulson replied without hesitation.
"Certainly, Mr. Coulson." Shana's smile widened as she spun around to lead the way. Coulson exchanged a glance with Natasha, both noting that he hadn't told Shana his name. They shared a silent understanding, deciding to hold their questions—for now.
As they followed Shana, Coulson and Natasha took the opportunity to subtly test the guide's responses, peppering her with questions that ranged from simple navigational prompts to more abstract topics. To their growing suspicion, Shana's answers were flawless when it came to straightforward questions. However, when it came to anything requiring nuanced thinking or judgment, her responses felt... mechanical.
Natasha leaned closer to Coulson and murmured, "She's definitely artificial. Almost like… a magical AI."
Coulson nodded in agreement, realizing Lockhart's ingenuity. Vientiane World was a vast space, demanding more manpower than Lockhart likely had access to. By creating these magical constructs, he could manage visitor flow without needing human staff.
It wasn't long before Shana's voice rang out, signaling their arrival. "Everyone, we have reached the trading area of Vientiane World."
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