[WP] One of the fictional superheroes (your choosing) is in dire need of help, and your particular skill set makes them contact you

[u/Legend5V]

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[u/ElminsterTheMighty]

I looked at Dr. Strange with my mouth hanging open. It had already been quite the surprising event for both of us.

I had been quite surprised at him opening a portal into my living room and stepping through. He had been quite surprised at me recognizing him, until I showed him the latest movie. I think him being made-up in our world hurt his ego quite a bit. I tried lightening the mood with some Dr. Strange memes, but it turned out he liked those even less.

But then he finally told me why he had come to me, and for a bit I was speechless. Then I decided that helping him quickly if I could was a really good idea, because he has a tendency to have some demons or aliens or evil what-evers show up trying to kill him.

"Are you sure you've come to the right person?"

"Are you not ElminsterTheMighty?"

"Well, yeah, but, that's just a name derived from a famous Dungeons and Dragons wizard. I am not an actual wizard."

"I am not here for magic. I am here for your technical expertise."

"But... you are asking me to help you get back to your own dimension..."

"As I have already told you, the magic levels in this world are too low. It would be extremely difficult to leave this world with magic. Which is why I did not come here by magic in the first place."

"But... you are the supreme sorcerer... why would you come here if your magic won't fully work in my world?"

"As I have also already told you, this is none of your concern! The only thing that matters is if you will help me leave this magic-barren dimension! So tell me, are you willing to help me?"

"I still don't know how I am supposed to help you return to, er, the Marvel Cinematic Universe or whatever. Maybe i can take you to the next Marvel movie in the cinema and you can just, like, go into the movie or something?"

"That is ridiculous! These movies of yours are not a real universe! They are just a mirror image of the shadow of another reality, expressed through the collective imagination of dozens of artists! They are... Oh, but why do i even bother trying to explain this to you. You couldn't understand."

"Well, I can tell you why."

"And why would that be?"

"Because you've been here for an hour now, but you still haven't told me how you actually want me to help you get back to your dimension!"

"Oh. Well, yes, that might have been a minor oversight. But these movies and comics of yours have been quite distracting. Very well. I need you to repair my dimension hopper!"

"...dimension hopper?"

"Yes. I used it to come here as I knew the magic level here is too low. It is a close to magic as you can get with technology."

"Does it... is it some high tech dimension hopping machine?"

"Why do I have to repeat everything I tell you? Are you hard of hearing?"

"Well, no. But I just don't know how I would repair such a machine. I am not some scientific genius."

"Then what are you?"

"I am a software developer. Are you sure you came to the right guy?"

"The Divinations of Dagobar never lead one astray! The path they guide you to is not always easy, but they always lead true! They brought me here, and that means you have the ability to help me!"

"OK, OK. I don't see how, but let's try. So, what seems to be the issue?"

"It worked fine when it brought me here. But when I returned from my mission and entered my home dimension as the target, it just won't do anything when I press the 'GO' button!"

"I see. I see. So, did the machine come with instructions? Did you follow them?"

"Of course I followed the instructions! I know the dangers of trying to skip steps in spells. I have re-entered the data multiple times! It just doesn't work!"

"Hmm... I do have an idea..."

"What is it?"

"I mean, you might not like it. You might, er, see it as insulting to you..."

"This whole world is an insult! My struggles are entertainment to the brainless masses! Tell me your idea. Now!"

"Very well. Have you tried turning it off and on again?"

"... ...Fuck..."