Time's Up, Joker.

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Chapter 29: Farewell.

-Michael's P.O.V-

I leaned against a pillar at the edge of the training courtyard, arms crossed, watching the chaos unfold.

The same courtyard where I'd spent weeks sparring and humiliating Kamar-Taj's most skilled martial artists now buzzed with life.

The smell of roasted meats and spiced curries hung heavy in the air, accompanied by the sharp tang of ale.

The once-serious sorcerers were now the picture of revelry, mugs of alcohol in hand as they danced and sang in off-key merriment.

Even the masters I'd sparred with the past few weeks—whose bruised egos still seemed fresh—were clinking mugs and roaring with laughter.

I shook my head and turned to J'onn, perched lazily on my shoulder in the form of a small, green-scaled Eastern dragon. "Can you believe this? A farewell party. Who does this? And for 'me', of all people."

J'onn let out a small yawn, his forked tongue flicking briefly. "Perhaps they're celebrating the fact that you're leaving."

"That would check out." I chuckled, shaking my head. "I mean, I did wipe the floor with half their dojo. They should've called it the 'Finally, He's Gone'*party."

J'onn gave me a lazy, sidelong glance. "You may mock, but rest and enjoy yourself, Michael. You haven't stopped since you arrived here. Training, fighting, scheming—it wouldn't kill you to take a night off."

Scheming? I do not scheme. That's Kaecilius' shtick. And he's dead of it.

I raised an eyebrow. "J'onn, I don't get tired anymore. Taking a night off is for mortals. Last I checked, I no longer qualify as one."

He let out a low hiss of disapproval, so I poked his scaly side. "But you need it. Go. Enjoy the party."

The Martian's eyes narrowed in stubbornness. "I am perfectly fine where I am, thank you."

"Wrong answer." I grinned, gesturing at the courtyard with my hand. "I 'command' you to turn human and join in the chaos. No excuses."

J'onn let out a low grumble but shifted reluctantly. His human form—tall, lean, and dressed in conjured sorcerer robes—blended perfectly with the crowd. Like a butler cosplaying.

Before he could slink back to my side, a young sorceress spotted him and grabbed his hand. With a delighted laugh, she whisked him into the throng of dancers.

"Don't worry, J'onn," I called after him, laughing. "I'll make sure no one gets pictures of you dancing!"

The glare he shot me over his shoulder was priceless. As for me, I found a table a ways off from the celebration and sat to watch J'onn join a Conga line.

Man, now I wish I had a camera.

---

While trying and failing to create a construct Camera(my powers still relied on a basic idea of the inner structures for any given construct), a pungent smell suddenly assaulted my nose.

I looked down and found a large mug of something dark and suspiciously bubbling, set on the table in front of me.

Strange stood on the other side of the table with a similar mug, a crooked grin on his face.

"Asgardian Mead. Courtesy of the old masters," he said, jerking his thumb toward a group of grinning elders at the far side of the courtyard.

I took another whiff, grimacing as it burned my nostrils. "Strong stuff. Let me guess—this is revenge for kicking their old asses?"

Strange pulled up a chair and laughed as he sat. "Partly. And partly an excuse to throw a party."

I raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Enlighten me, Doctor."

He took a sip of his drink, leaning back comfortably. "Well, some might hold grudges over Kaecilius and Mordo, but protecting the world outweighs any personal feelings here. Besides, nothing unites Kamar-Taj like the defeat of a traitor or a Dread Lord."

A part of me was relieved there was no resentment from the sorcerers. Over time, I'd made some friends in Kamar-Taj I'd be sorry to lose.

I nodded thoughtfully, lifting my mug.

"To unity, then," I said, saluting the old masters with a grin before downing the entire mug in one go.

The burning sensation hit me immediately, setting my insides ablaze. My eyes watered as I set the mug down with a loud thunk. Damn. Even the rider's flames were useless here.

"Holy hellfire," I muttered, coughing. "What is 'in' this?"

Strange laughed. "That's Asgardian Mead for you."

Despite my initial reaction, we shared a laugh, talking about past battles and future plans. Before long, Strange asked if I'd ever visit again, and I promised I would.

We set up a few loose arrangements incase we needed to trade, and then Strange left the party early. In his own words, 'his studies were more important than getting shit-faced drunk.'

As the laughter and music carried on, I caught a glimpse of The Ancient One standing on a balcony overlooking the courtyard.

She stood apart from the revelry, her figure framed by the silver glow of the moonlight. Something about her presence drew me in.

Slightly inebriated, I excused myself and climbed the stairs toward her office.

---

She stood with her back to me, gazing out at the moonlit horizon. Her silhouette, framed against the night sky, felt impossibly serene.

When she turned to face me, my breath caught.

Her appearance had changed entirely. She looked younger.

Midnight-black hair cascaded down her back, framing a face with a tanned, healthy glow.

Her gray eyes sparkled with faint purple flecks, shimmering like distant stars. The Power Cosmic radiated from her in waves, suffusing the room with an ethereal warmth.

"You're staring," she said, an amused smile tugging at her lips.

I cleared my throat, offering her a lopsided grin. "Can you blame me? You look... astonishingly beautiful."

Her smile softened, though her tone held a teasing edge. "Careful, Michael. Throwing around compliments like that could give a woman the wrong idea."

I shrugged, stepping closer. "Some truths are worth risking the consequences for."

She chuckled, gesturing for me to follow her deeper into the building. "Come, Mr. Charmer. You've kept your end of the bargain, and now I'll keep mine."

---

We entered the library, its shelves towering around us like silent sentinels. At the center of the room was an empty pedestal.

With a wave of her hand, the pedestal lit up, revealing the Eye of Agamotto. Its green gem pulsed faintly, filling the space with a soothing hum.

"Whoa, I've been here several times in the past and never noticed it."

I whispered, stepping closer to the pedestal.

The Yellow Lantern band manifested on my forehead and began pulling in the stone's residual energy.

Memories and feelings poured into me unbidden—nostalgia, longing, loss.

Images of my family flickered through my mind, clear and vivid as if they were standing before me.

The Lantern Band was interpreting the time stone's energy in the form of emotions.

I closed my eyes, breathing deeply to steady myself.

Reaching into my pocket dimension, I retrieved a glowing cosmic orb. Its faint energy swirled and pulsed like a heartbeat.

The Ancient One watched in silence as I placed the Eye of Agamotto and the orb into a Hope-Eater construct.

It consumed both, its jaws snapping shut before releasing a new creation into my hands: the Time Orb.

The construct dissolved, leaving me holding the glowing sphere infused with the Time Stone's power.

I handed the Eye of Agamotto back to her, bowing slightly. "Thank you—for everything."

She accepted it with a soft smile, her voice warm. "You'll be missed, Michael. By more than you realize."

The weight of her words settled over me, bittersweet and heavy.

I forced a smile, tucking the Time Orb away. "Don't worry. I'll visit. Someone's gotta make sure J'onn keeps up with his dance lessons."

She laughed, a light and genuine sound, and for a moment, the world felt a little less heavy.

As I turned to leave her room, I glanced back at her one last time, memorizing the warmth in her gaze and the quiet strength she exuded.

Kamar-Taj had been a refuge, a battlefield, and an unexpected home. Leaving wasn't easy, but it was time to move forward.

I wouldn't forget this place—or the people who'd made it unforgettable. But now, it was time for the next chapter.

"(J'onn it's Time)"

I spoke to him mentally and a few seconds later, a massive dragon passed me on the balcony and took to the skies.

I entered a portal and exited it out on the Dragon's back. Throwing a final glance at Kamar-Taj, we took off into the Horizon.