Inside his inner world, the Leijieduo clone accelerated its gestation process.
Outside, Malrick, Diana, and Kara landed on Paradise Island.
At this time, the Amazon warriors were still unconscious from crossing dimensions. Their physical condition was even weaker than Tony Stark's after a long night in the lab. Scattered across the ground, the warriors lay still — most dressed in simple tube tops and skirts.
When Malrick glanced down, the sight was... distracting.
Catching Diana's sharp look, he quickly straightened up and said with a serious tone,
"Let's move everyone indoors. They should wake up in about ten minutes."
Diana shook her head. "If it's not for long, there's no need. We often rest on the grass here."
Paradise Island, entirely inhabited by women, had countless open spaces where warriors could rest freely. If not for their traditional modesty, they might not even bother with clothing at all.
After more than ten minutes, the Amazons gradually woke.
Diana helped her mother, Queen Hippolyta, sit down inside the temple. The first thing the Queen did was ask whether a new Paradise Island existed in this recreated world. Only after Diana confirmed did Hippolyta sigh in relief.
Then Diana recounted Darkseid's invasion in full detail.
Hippolyta's expression shifted rapidly — from disbelief to horror. When she heard that the world had been destroyed, her face turned pale. But as Diana continued, describing how Malrick had slain Darkseid and restarted the world, her expression softened, relief washing over her.
Finally, hearing that Paradise Island had followed Malrick into another universe, the Queen exhaled deeply, a mix of regret and gratitude on her face.
"Since you've arrived in another world," Hippolyta said after a pause, "then follow Malrick's lead and experience it properly. If he could defeat Darkseid and restart the world, then even if he's... less than faithful, he is certainly not cruel."
"Mother, I understand. But there's something else I wanted to discuss."
Diana quietly explained her plan to let Paradise Island exist within Malrick's pocket dimension.
"No!" Hippolyta's voice rose instantly, her earlier calm replaced with defiance. "Paradise Island will not have contact with the outside world!"
Diana argued back, firm and logical. The two stood their ground, their voices echoing through the temple.
The noise drew attention from nearby Amazons. Upon seeing Malrick, several greeted him happily before falling silent, listening to the royal dispute.
In the end, Hippolyta relented — reluctantly.
Diana had reminded her of another Wonder Woman, one who had died from a deadly toxin in an isolated Paradise Island. The Queen remembered the sorrow of seeing her daughter's body burn on the pyre for the last time.
"Staying in this small world you mentioned is acceptable," Hippolyta finally said. "But only Amazons may enter or leave. Outsiders are forbidden."
"That's fine," Diana replied confidently. "No one will force their way in. We'll inscribe protection runes to restrict entry."
Seeing Diana's determination, the Queen sighed and waved her hand. "If you've thought of everything, then do as you please. You never listen anyway."
"Of course I do," Diana said with a playful smile, hugging her mother's arm. "Come, let me show you the beauty of this world. You'll love it."
Outside, Diana winked at Malrick — his cue.
He raised his hand, summoning the fire dragons that had been circling above. They descended swiftly, wings trembling with suppressed power. But instead of attacking, the dragons knelt, pressing their wings around their heads in submission.
Apparently, Hulk's "training methods" had worked wonders. Malrick couldn't help but imagine the green brute wrestling each dragon by the head.
He approached the largest one, patted its forehead with a dull thud, and grinned. The dragon immediately recognized his strength — not weaker than Hulk's — and nuzzled Malrick's hand affectionately.
With the leader tamed, the rest followed, lowering their heads and opening their jaws in what seemed like friendly smiles.
"These creatures are part of this small world," Malrick explained to the Amazons. "They're harmless — well-trained mounts."
The dragons bore saddles on their backs, proof that they had been domesticated.
"Dragons?" gasped Hippolyta, and even Diana looked astonished.
Moments ago, these beings were terrifying mythic creatures. Now, they lay calmly before them, waiting to be ridden.
Diana and Kara mounted their dragons first. Excited murmurs spread among the Amazons as they followed suit.
Malrick smiled and patted the dragon beside him. "Let's go. Time to show you the world."
The dragons spread their wings and soared into the night sky.
Under the moonlight, their shadows rippled across the forest below. Occasionally, a few small creatures peeked out from the trees, probably wondering what kind of madness these dragons were up to again.
As they flew higher, the Amazons realized that this "small world" wasn't small at all. Glacial plains lay to the north, lava fields to the south, mountains to the west, and lush basins to the east — a complete ecosystem.
Malrick guided them toward a floating island at the center.
"That island will be the future Mage Academy," he explained. "Right now, only a few mages live here, maintaining the world's structure. When it's ready, only students and teachers will stay. The mages of Kamar-Taj focus on protecting Earth — they won't interfere with Paradise Island."
As they descended, Wong emerged from the academy, still in his training robes.
"Malrick?" he said, blinking in surprise. "Why are you out here walking the dragons again? Hulk already took them for a run today."
Apparently, Hulk had decided dragon training was just another version of dog walking.
Malrick chuckled. "These two ladies are their real riders, Wong. Just introducing them to their mounts."
Wong stared at Diana and Kara, then back at Malrick. "Right... and they are...?"
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