[Third POV, Year 2001, September 12th, CyberWorld]
"To life? What do you m—"
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps and a strange hum began to echo nearby, growing louder the closer it came. Adrian turned toward the source, commenting with mild surprise:
"Oh, looks like they're the first Darkners we'll encounter. What a coincidence."
Squinting his eyes to make out the approaching figures, Tony suddenly let out a loud gasp. His hands began to tremble slightly, eyes widening in disbelief, his voice trembling for a momen while gazing confused at the man.
"J-Jarvis? But, how…?"
"Sir, I fear I must remind you that I know what you're thinking—but I am not who you believe I am."
The man's figure became clear—an old man who looked exactly like the butler the Stark family once had, though his voice carried a slightly robotic and mechanical edge, tinged with professionalism and understanding.
"I am Just A Rather Very Intelligent System, J.A.R.V.I.S.—not the father figure you probably believe me to be."
"...I see. For a moment, I really thought I was seeing things....."
"Oh, what a wonderful sensation! So much data! So many feelings! This is absolutely AMAZING!"
Then the second figure revealed itself—the voice belonged to a mechanical, floating eyeball radiating joy and curiosity. It was 343 Guilty Spark, admist of Tony's sad and weird mood at the sight of Jarvis.
"Artificial Intelligence Construct 343 Guilty Spark, at your service!"
"Because of the darkness, even non-sentient beings come to life and can exist in the physical plane," Adrian explained. "Which means they also develop emotions and are basically living and sentient beings."
"So… Jarvis looks like my old butler because I made him in his image? And now he actually has feelings?"
"Yeah. Not only that, but we should also—"
Clank. Clank. Clank.
Suddenly, a metallic sound echoed closer to them. The figure that appeared was... a trash can. With eyes.
"Ah, that's a normal Darkner. That should be the recycle bin."
"Hi! I'm Trashy! Thanks for making the fountain! I love both of you Lightners!"
"And I love you too, random Darkner!"
"Alright… aside from this, is there anything else I should know?"
As if in response to Stark doubts, a bright light began glowing from Adrian's body.
"Yeah. If someone enters this place and is talented—or desires it enough—they should be able to learn magic and use it instinctively. However, I think I should seal the fountain for now."
"Wait, why?!"
"Like I said, I'm not adept at making these things. It's my first time. I feel like something is growing the longer the fountain flows."
Without going into detail, Adrian focused on his soul and sealed the fountain.
[Normal World]
"Sir, the crack that was in the ground is gone."
"Yeah, I don't know why that happens, even when I made the fountain. First time, Jarvis."
"So… magic is real, huh? Can I learn how to do that, kid?"
"If I'm being honest, I don't know. Maybe in 2026 we'll figure it out. But yeah, magic is—"
Sizzle Sizzle
A quiet but distinct sound spread through the room. Adrian and Tony immediately turned toward it and saw a red swirl of energy forming in the middle of the lab. The color shifted to a yellow-orange circular portal, revealing what seemed to be the interior of another place. From it, a woman stepped through.
"I see..."
"What?! Who are you?! Jarvis, activate defense mode!"
Tony shouted, but no one responded—neither the woman nor Jarvis. Adrian quickly searched his memory, trying to identify her.
"I mean no harm to you, Stark, and even less to you, child. I'm here only to talk."
"...Ancient One?"
"I expected you'd recognize me, but it's still a surprise. Tell me something… is this really the first time we've spoken?"
"...I don't know what you're talking about."
The bald woman glanced between Stark and Adrian. Realizing the boy wouldn't answer with Tony present, she chose to set the question aside.
"Forget it. I came because I sensed the fabric of reality thinning in this place. But now, it's as if nothing ever happened. Can you tell me what caused that?"
"Look, I'm sorry, old woman, but barging into my mansion and interrogating us out of nowhere doesn't sit well with me. I don't care if you're a wizard or something, but at least knock."
Extending his arm, Tony pointed the prototype repulsor gauntlet at her, his face serious.
In response, the Ancient One calmly waved her hand. Instantly, the gauntlet transformed into a rubber glove—the kind used to clean toilets. Tony quickly yanked it off and threw it aside, glaring.
"Please refrain from doing that again, Stark. I only wish to ask questions."
"...It's okay, Tony. Let me handle this."
"What? Are you sure? I don't think we can trust her, kid."
"Ancient One, use the Mirror Dimension. Just you and me. Don't panic, Tony."
The Ancient One nodded, casting a spell that shifted reality around them with Tony not being in this reality.
"I'm guessing you came here because of the Dark Fountain."
"Please explain to me—what exactly is a Dark Fountain? It's not a concept I'm familiar with."
"Well… even I don't know much about it. But I'll explain what I can."
Adrian then told her what he knew about the Dark Fountains—omitting some details, like sealing it with his soul. Instead, he simply said he willed it closed. Why was he being so cooperative? Simple: information. Her question—"Is this the first time we've met?"—had tripped a mental alarm. It reminded him of a Dusttale fangame where Sans asked the same thing. A sign that someone knew about the ability to load timelines. Could she know?
"...Based on what you've told me, and what I felt before I arrived, when you opened the fountain, this 'darkness' thinned the wall—or veil—of reality, allowing fantasy to take form. But the changes aren't permanent. While it can affect reality to a certain point, it is, in the end, still an illusion."
"When I made the fountain, I did it with will. Which shaped the Dark World in my image. The fountain takes a thought and makes it real. Takes a lie and makes it the truth. Tells a story to the universe so utterly, cosmically perfect that, for a single, shining moment... the fact that things come to life becomes true."
"What a wonderful way to put it, child. I fear I couldn't have worded it better. But I must ask you not to create more of these fountains. When reality weakens, very bad things can happen… However, there's still one question you haven't answered."
"This is the first time we've met face-to-face."
"Then how were you able to recognize me?"
"...If I told you, Deadpool would only be the second craziest person in the universe."
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Author Note:
I want to speed it up because i decided to start studying a higher education, which means less time to write, oh and if someone ask why is MC revealing everything to the ancient (Well technically not everything but what he knows of the fountains) is because he can always rewind time to undo if the result will not be favorable (i say this because people would accuse the mc of being dumb, when he is currently the one who decides if someone gets to keep their knowledge)
MC wants information of what the fountains are, as he didn't play ch3 and 4 of DT, so having an outside source to help him with it is the logical path, not only that but he wants to try something that will be adressed next chapter.
Please add to library and give powerstones!