Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Dimensional Crossing (Part 2)
"Do you know? This time, I'm going to invent an incredibly powerful bomb. Just one use and it will maintain world peace," Stark excitedly introduced his upcoming latest weapon while lounging by the pool after dinner.
"Iron Man is about to be born," Daniel thought as he watched the enthusiastic Stark. Although Stark hadn't named this weapon yet, from its description and power, Daniel knew what it was—the Jericho missile, which would lead to Stark becoming Iron Man.
"Why do you sell arms? For world peace."
In a way, Stark genuinely believed this. Weapons served as a deterrent. Since the advent of nuclear weapons, although regional conflicts have persisted, large-scale wars have largely been avoided, especially between nuclear-armed states.
Unfortunately, while Stark's intentions were good, the other board members of Stark Industries, particularly his uncle, did not share his vision. Continuous small-scale conflicts around the world were sometimes deliberately instigated. After all, if everyone made peace, who would buy their weapons?
Daniel had no intention of intervening in Stark's transformation into Iron Man. If his interference caused Iron Man not to exist, it would be a huge problem.
Moreover, Daniel had his own significant tasks to focus on, which were no less important than Stark becoming Iron Man.
Although Daniel was quite powerful now, he always rejected the idea of becoming a superhero. Unlike Iron Man or Spider-Man, he wasn't inclined to save people at the risk of his own life. He had no desire to be blamed by those he saved, unlike the magnanimity shown by Iron Man and others. He was willing to help within his abilities, but risking his life? Forget it.
Daniel admired Spider-Man greatly. Despite his abilities, Spider-Man never used them for personal gain and often lived in poverty, sacrificing even his love life. This made Daniel feel a bit ashamed, as he often used his abilities for personal benefit. Of course, he felt ashamed but still continued to seek benefits when possible.
If Spider-Man had the abilities of the Ope Ope no Mi, he would probably try to cure every terminal illness on Earth.
"Solomon's Key, Grand Grimoire, New Compendium of Hell, New Compendium of the World, Dimensional Theory, Invisible Sun, Book of Cagliostro." After finishing the Vibranium Ant-Man suit, Daniel focused on studying the magical books stored on a tablet from Kamar-Taj.
With the Vibranium Ant-Man suit ready, Daniel considered crossing into other dimensional worlds. Although it was dangerous, some worlds were worth exploring despite the risks.
Human beings are strange creatures. Daniel's highest dream used to be waking up naturally, counting money until his hands cramped, living in a villa with a pool, and hosting bikini parties. Now that these goals were nearly achieved, theoretically, he could live a carefree life like Stark. However, in reality, he hadn't pursued any relationships with women.
"Hell and Heaven."
Hell and Heaven exist in the Marvel Universe. Angels from Heaven occasionally appeared in the past, but Heaven's miracles had long ceased. Hell, on the other hand, still saw occasional returns, like a certain Ghost Rider on a motorcycle.
Thankfully, these two dimensional spaces are generally inaccessible to ordinary people.
Some dimensional worlds inherently repel intruders. Without sufficient power, entry is impossible. Heaven and Hell are such places.
"So, Dormammu doesn't transcend time after all."
"I've come to bargain," was Doctor Strange's method of defeating Dormammu. Many believed Dormammu transcended time, and Daniel once thought so too. That was until he read about it in the Book of Cagliostro.
Dormammu doesn't transcend time. If he did, he wouldn't have been trapped in Strange's time loop.
Dormammu sensed the time loop, but Strange didn't use it against Thanos because Dormammu and Thanos were different beings.
The Book of Cagliostro distinguished between specific and general concepts of time. Specific time pertained to a single world, while general time involved the multiverse, a concept difficult to grasp.
This explained why Dormammu could sense the time loop. As a being from another dimension, his timeline differed from this world's.
One second in this world could be a year in another, similar to the quantum realm where time passes differently.
This didn't mean that traveling between worlds freed someone from time control. If that were true, Daniel himself would be unaffected by this world's time, which was impossible.
Dormammu could sense the time loop because he was a dimensional being. His presence in Earth was just a part of his vast being, subjected to this world's time while still perceiving the loop.
It's like watching an infinitely looping video: the characters inside don't notice the loop, but the viewer does.
Dormammu, as a dimensional being, placed part of himself inside the looped video while the rest remained outside, watching.
Daniel couldn't help but admire Strange. Despite dying countless times in the time loop, Strange persisted until Dormammu grew frustrated and left. The film didn't capture the full extent of his endurance.
This also proved the power of the Time Stone, allowing Strange to step out of his world's timeline, making him both a character in the video and the viewer.
"Thank goodness for Pym Particles, otherwise, I wouldn't dare to attempt this." Daniel's endeavor wasn't a reckless venture. He had some confidence, thanks to Hank Pym's Pym Particles.
Dimensional spaces, like the quantum realm, are hard to navigate, but Pym Particles made a difference.
"Who knows if I can return, or when I can return. But now's not the time to worry about such trivial matters."
After preparing everything he could and hiding all he needed to, Daniel activated the Ant-Man suit, shrinking himself to a quantum state. Then, he opened a portal and plunged into the dimensional space.
"What a brilliantly colorful world."
The surroundings resembled the dimensional space the Ancient One had taken his soul into. While the Wasp couldn't escape the quantum realm, Daniel faced no such issue.
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