American comics: Damn it, I’m surrounded by those who worry about their fathers!.

Chapter 1064 The Groom Isn't Me, Doctor Strange's Sorrow

"No, not exactly."

Peter muttered to himself, squatted down, and carefully examined the body that had smashed the concrete rooftop with spiderweb-like cracks.

The body was badly damaged, but the blue and red clothing could still be vaguely discerned.

Bruce's black Kevlar armor absorbed the faint light around him, making him almost blend into the shadows.

Emerging from the shadows of the rooftop, his gaze swept across the scene.

He took in everything: the angle of impact, the posture of the corpse, and the scattered fragments around it.

"There are slight differences in the details of the costume compared to what you described as Doctor Strange."

Bruce looked at Peter and said, “It’s not exactly the same as the ‘Sorcerer Supreme’ Strange recorded in your file, but the energy residue… is very similar, so it should be from the same source.”

Peter nodded; he had already noticed the subtle differences.

Peter reached out, but his fingertips did not touch the corpse directly. Instead, they moved slowly a few inches above it, and silver divine energy covered the corpse as he examined its condition.

After examining him, Peter's voice grew increasingly grave, "His body has been corrupted by some kind of darkness, and..."

Peter's finger stopped on the open wound on the corpse's chest and abdomen. The edges of the wound were extremely irregular, as if it had been torn from the inside by some huge, twisting force and then pierced through from the outside.

“This is not just an impact injury; there seems to be residual energy in the wound.”

"Let me test it."

Bruce crouched down, took a miniature sensor from his all-purpose belt, and carefully approached the wound.

As he moved, the data on the screen scrolled rapidly.

"Yes, the wound contains a kind of cosmic energy radiation."

Bruce quickly came to a conclusion, saying with some doubt, "It's as if he suffered a fatal blow during the process of being torn apart or teleported by some extremely powerful spatial force, or... the process itself was forcibly interrupted, leading to the disintegration of his body."

"You mean, he teleported here from space, Bruce?"

Bruce nodded. "Yes, and it's very likely that it was transmitted from another universe. This energy fluctuation is very similar to the one when the Comedian was transported to Gotham last time."

Peter listened to Bruce's words and slowly stood up, his gaze fixed on the Gotham sky.

His gaze seemed to penetrate dimensional barriers, revealing the endless universe and starry sky.

Peter frowned deeply, lost in thought.

This Doctor Strange looks somewhat familiar; I think I've seen him in a past life.

Fragments of his past life memories rippled across his mind like pebbles thrown into a lake.

The plot of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness gradually became clear in his mind.

He remembered that the opening of the multiverse was the story of Doctor Strange, the defender, and the "American girl" being hunted down.

In the end, Doctor Strange, the defender, attempted to absorb the girl's energy to fight the Beholder, but he still couldn't escape death, and his body fell onto the rooftop of a building in New York.

But shouldn't this body be in the Marvel Universe?

Could it be that my actions caused the plot to take a turn for the worse?

Peter shook his head, clearing his mind of the thoughts.

"I think I know who this is..."

Peter looked at the corpse with a complicated expression and said to Bruce, "This should be... a Strange from another universe, a Strange who made a different choice and met a tragic end."

He paused, then continued, "Moreover, if I'm not mistaken, his death is very likely related to 'her'."

Bruce immediately caught the key to Peter's words: "'She'? Who are you referring to, Godfather?"

“An American girl.”

After thinking for a moment, Peter said to Bruce, "I need to go to the Marvel Universe, find Strange, and check things out."

"What do you need me to do?"

Bruce didn't ask why, but directly asked what he needed to do.

He always maintained absolute trust and respect for Peter, and the two maintained an absolute understanding.

"No, you don't need to do anything for now, Bruce."

Peter shook his head and said to him, "Let's go back to the farm first."

Padrick Farm.

Jane Foster was sitting on the sofa, holding a baby boy in her arms and humming a lullaby, while another baby crawled around on the soft carpet beside her, clutching Mordred's bootlaces.

Although Mordred was somewhat impatient, she refrained from taking the baby away.

The living room fell silent for a moment after Peter and Bruce pushed open the door and entered.

“Daddy, Bruce.”

Ceresia saw Peter and immediately ran over.

Peter bent down and picked Ceresa up in his arms.

Peter ruffled Ceresa's hair, about to say something, but quickly noticed a stranger in the living room.

Bruce's gaze was also drawn to the timid and somewhat bewildered America Chaviz.

“Sir, this is America.”

Zatana took the initiative to explain to Peter, and briefly recounted her and Artoria's encounter with the Eye Demon in the Metropolis.

"Beholder?!"

Peter looked surprised when he heard Zatanna say that Artoria had defeated the Eye Demon.

Did America and the Eye Demon end up in the DC Universe instead of the Marvel Universe because of their own actions?
After thinking for a while, Peter's gaze fell on America.

He went straight to the point, asking, "So, America Chaviz, you are a multiverse traveler, and you possess powerful energy capable of traversing dimensions, right?"

"What?! You...how do you know about the energy within me?!"

America stared in shock, instinctively taking a half-step back and looking at Peter warily.

She had just been rescued by Artoria and Zatanna from the Eye Demon's attack, and before she could even catch her breath, she was brought to this strange farm filled with powerful and eerie atmospheres. Now, another stranger had revealed her identity and her biggest secret.

This nearly broke her already tense nerves.

Peter's words drew curious glances from the others in the living room.

"Don't be nervous."

Seeing that America was a little nervous, Zatanna took the initiative to explain to her, "The master knows a lot of things. This is his home. Many people like you from different universes have been here."

"People from different universes...have all been here?"

After hearing Zatanna's explanation, America became even more confused.

What kind of place is this?!

Could it be that the people on this farm are from other universes, just like me?

What abilities did Peter Patrick, the farm owner, possess that allowed him to take in so many people?
She swallowed hard and looked at Artoria, Ciri, and the others. "You...are you all...?"

"No, I'm a native of this place."

Zatanna immediately stated that she was an indigenous person.

Peter didn't explain much. He walked over to Jane, gently stroked the baby's head in her arms, and then looked at the baby crawling on the ground.

"How are they?"

"They're very well-behaved, but their appetites are astonishing. Billy seems to be particularly sensitive to energy, while Tommy is incredibly strong."

Jane smiled and said, then lowered her voice with concern, "Something happened in Gotham? You and Bruce both look very serious."

"Yes, we've discovered the body of Doctor Strange from another universe."

Peter's voice was low, but loud enough for those nearby to hear, "Things might be a bit complicated. I need to go to the Marvel Universe to check with Strange."

Ah Zu was just a bystander when his eyes lit up when he heard about the Marvel Universe.

He was on the farm today and was almost driven crazy by the two babies.

Since just now, he's been thinking about whether or not to drag Clark to Piltover University.

Now that he heard about Marvel, Azu immediately became interested.

With a fake smile on his face, Azu walked over. "Doctor Strange? Sounds like you're in big trouble, Dad. Do you need help?"

Peter glanced at him, but didn't answer.

Raven closed her book, stood up, and said in an unusually firm voice, "I'll go with you, Dad."

"You're going too?" Peter looked at Raven in surprise.

Ever since Mordred tricked her, the eldest daughter has been radiating negative energy.

He spends all his time researching strange magic to enhance his strength, and seems to care little about the farm anymore.

Is Raven going to come with me to the Marvel universe now?
Could it be that you, you brat, are eyeing the Dark Book?
“Yes, Dad, I have a valid reason.”

Seeing that Peter's eyes were not right, Raven quickly gave her a legitimate reason, "Strange is a powerful mage, and his magical powers are similar to mine on some levels. Perhaps I can help."

When America heard the name "Doctor Strange," her body visibly trembled, and a look of shock appeared on her face: "You...you know Doctor Strange?"

"Yes, but the Doctor Strange we know is different from the Doctor you know."

Peter looked at her. “If you want to escape the pursuit and find out the truth, you’d better come with us to the Marvel Universe.”

America hesitated for a moment, looking into Peter's eyes that seemed to see through everything yet were reassuring, and then at the group of... strange but seemingly powerful people around her, before finally nodding vigorously.

She had nowhere else to go; perhaps this was her only hope.

"Okay, I'll go too."

"Ahem.!"

Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Azu coughed.

“Dad, let me go with you. I haven’t been back to visit in a long time, and I miss some of my old friends there.”

A perfectly timed, slightly nostalgic smile appeared on his face.

Peter looked at him with feigned confusion, "You have old friends? Who?"

"Our old black butler—Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Captain Steve Rogers, who represents the American spirit, are both my friends."

As soon as Ah Zu finished speaking, an eerie silence fell over the living room.

Star-Lord's expression turned somewhat strange.

He wanted to say something, but he refrained from embarrassing Ah Zu.

He remembered clearly what happened the last time Ah Zu and his father went to the Marvel Universe.

Azu stormed into S.H.I.E.L.D. and "friendly"ly tried to take Captain America's shield as a souvenir.

And Azu, haven't you always been a racial knight?
So much so that Nick Fury is extremely unhappy with you?!
Are these two your friends?

Now Azu says he "misses" Captain America and Nick Fury?

If we disregard his past record of trying to steal Captain America's iconic weapon, this statement might sound somewhat sincere.

Peter, unaware of Star-Lord's outrageous rant, gave Azu a deep look.

He knew, of course, that Ah Zu's trip there wasn't just about "missing old friends," but more about wanting to stir up trouble and showcase his power on a "greater" stage.

However, considering the complex situations that may arise, having an additional powerful combat force might not be a bad thing.

At least, Ah Zu's thick skin and tough flesh allow him to taunt his enemies.

And it can also give Ah Zu some exercise.

Ever since this brat obtained the Thunder Trident, he's been in a slump, his strength hasn't improved much, and he was even ambushed by Star-Lord the vampire last time.

"……All right."

Peter finally nodded. "Raven, Batman, America, and... Azu, a few of us will go. The rest of you stay on the farm and protect it and the children."

After Peter finished speaking, he led everyone into the World Tree.

Before America could recover from the beauty of the divine realm, a dazzling, swirling energy began to gather around the Rainbow Bridge, emitting a buzzing sound.

Peter raised his hand, and the fine particles of the Hypnos sandbag swirled between his fingertips, enveloping the group.

A massive cosmic tunnel, its interior shimmering with rainbow light, slowly opened above the Rainbow Bridge, emanating a powerful suction force.

"Let's go."

Peter said, taking the lead into the dazzling passageway.

Bruce followed without hesitation, with Raven close behind.

Ah Zu straightened his non-existent collar, a "confident" smile on his face as if he were going to a grand ceremony, and walked in with his hands behind his back.

America took one last look at the unusually mysterious Peter, gritted her teeth, and followed him into the passage.

Marvel Universe.

Christine Palmer's wedding.

The phrase lingered in Stephen Strange's mind, carrying a bittersweet and cold sense of reality.

He was dressed in a well-fitting dark suit, sitting among the guests, trying to look like any ordinary friend who had come to congratulate the newlyweds.

Sunlight streamed through the exquisite glass windows, illuminating the flower-filled ceremony venue. The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, the soft bubbling of champagne, and whispers of happiness.

Everything is so perfect.

Except the groom isn't himself.

He stared blankly at Christine.

She was wearing a pure white wedding dress, and her bright smile stung his eyes.

The look in her eyes as she looked at the groom was the kind of unconditional love and trust that Stephen had once known so well, and that he had even thought would always belong to him.

Once upon a time, he—Stephen Strange, a world-leading neurosurgeon, arrogant and confident, holding the lives and futures of countless people in his hands, also believed that he would give her such a wedding, such a future.

Until that car accident, those trembling hands that could no longer hold a scalpel.

Until he abandoned everything, traveled to Kamar-Taj, and stepped into a bizarre and dangerous magical world, becoming the Sorcerer Supreme, Strange.

He protected the entire dimension of reality countless times, but ultimately lost her.

He tried to be happy for Christine, genuinely so.

She deserves all this happiness, she deserves this man who can give her stability, companionship and ordinary warmth, instead of a Sorcerer Supreme who deals with other-dimensional demons all day long, disappears for months at a time, and may return with a body full of injuries.

He understands the reasoning, and rationally, he accepts it completely.

But emotions are another matter.

He had seen images of himself and Christine in other multiverses.

In one universe, he saw himself marrying Christine. The wedding was simple and warm. He was wearing a suit, her arm was in his, and her smile was as bright as it was now. Sitting in the audience were his long-deceased sister and father.

Those images were so real, so real that they seemed within reach. They represented another possibility, another fate that he had once grasped but had forever lost.

With a sigh, Strange took another large gulp of his drink, a profound sense of loneliness gripping him.

He looked down at his hands, which had once trembled but could now cast spells.

These hands can twist time and space, reconstruct matter, and repel gods... yet they can't even grasp the simplest, most ordinary happiness.

What a huge irony...

After half an hour.

The wedding ceremony ended, and the crowd began to move toward the banquet hall.

Stephen moved with the crowd like a ghost, found a corner with fewer people, and subconsciously reached for a glass of wine from the waiter's tray.

Just as he was about to drink it all down, a guest who had been sitting on a bench with his back to him stood up a short distance ahead.

Then a familiar voice, seemingly from another world, clearly pierced through the noise of the wedding and entered his ears:

“Drinking alone is not a good habit, Dr. Strange.”

Upon hearing this, Strange froze instantly, the wine glass he had raised to his lips hanging in mid-air.

He then looked up in disbelief, his gaze fixed on the person who had spoken.

The person he was watching slowly stood up from the bench, turned around, and looked directly at him.

The other person stared at him with an unusually calm expression on their face.

Peter Padreik.

Why is he here?

At Christine's wedding?

Strange opened his mouth, but found himself speechless, the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.

Peter looked at the unfortunate man and walked towards him with a smile.

"Long time no see, Doctor Strange."

(End of this chapter)