"Alright, let's see what's next…" Tet muttered, scanning down the ever-growing list in his hands, his eyes flicking from line to line.
"I sent Billy to Camp Half-Blood. Seemed fitting, since most of his powers come from Greek gods or heroes anyway. Not sure why Hermes insisted on changing the speed of Mercury to the speed of Hermes," Tet said, tapping the side of the list thoughtfully as he spoke.
"Our Roman phase wasn't our happiest time. Honestly, we were all a lot more violent," Tia said, nervously scratching her cheek, her expression tightening slightly at the memory.
"Okay, I'm interrogating you and Hestia later. I'm sure there's some fun stories I haven't heard," Tet said with a grin, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"Oh? Is that a threat or a promise, dear? Either way, good luck," Tia replied with a smile.
"Anyway, getting back on track… if I hadn't already put Merlin as a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, I would've gotten John Constantine for the job. I'm sure I'll find something for him and Zatanna later," Tet said, idly flipping the page as he continued down the list.
"Let's see… throw Being X into a crimson key… did that. Don't like how quickly my collection is growing," Tet added, crossing off another item with a small flick of his wrist.
He paused suddenly.
"Oh—wait. I know. Now's a perfect time for that," Tet said, a spark of excitement lighting up his expression.
Before Tia could ask what he meant, Tet snapped his fingers.
In a flash of light, the two of them vanished.
______________
Back on Tet's earth in New York, the city stretched out before them.
"Alright, why have you brought me here?" Batman asked as he stared out at the city, his eyes narrowed slightly beneath the cowl.
"Just wait," Tet replied calmly.
After a few minutes, they saw someone in a red and blue suit swing past them on what looked like a long strand of silk.
"That's why I brought you here. His name is Peter Parker, alias Spider-Man. He's not from my world. He's a refugee from a world that was hit by a zombie apocalypse. See, at first he was fine, but he's still trying to do the hero thing in a world that doesn't have them," Tet explained to Batman, his expression turning a bit more serious.
"Besides, the gods of this world are very active. The crime rate is below average here because of it, and by that I mean my constructs are going around the world and knocking people out before they have a chance to commit crimes," Tet added, sounding a little too cheerful.
"What do you want me to do?" Batman asked, his voice low and direct.
"Well, I was hoping you wouldn't mind..." Tet started, only to be cut off.
"No. I have enough people depending on me. I don't need another," Batman said firmly, his jaw tightening slightly. "But then again, my world is running low on heroes... Alright, I'll take him in, but he has to promise no killing," he said sternly.
"Oh, that won't be an issue. Peter is constantly holding back against his foes. If he used all his strength in a fight, they'd all become puddles on the pavement," Tet said seriously.
After that, Tet introduced the two, and after a long, serious discussion, Peter agreed to go with Bruce.
Tet used his divine power to make it seem like Peter had always existed in Bruce's world, subtly adjusting things.
Before long, the criminals of Gotham had a new fear to worry about.
By night, the Bat.
By day, the Spider.
_______________
Tet dragged himself into the guild hall and face planted at a table, his body going completely limp, while Tia cheerfully walked over to Hestia and Vesta, a light smile on her face.
"How did it go?" Hestia asked, tilting her head slightly.
"We had a good time, but I think darling has a few too many things on his plate," Tia said, glancing back at Tet with mild concern.
"Oh yes, we've seen the list," Vesta responded with a sigh.
As Tet laid his head on the table, a hot cup of delicious-smelling tea was gently pushed over to him.
"Here, my friend, lay down your burdens and have some tea."
Tet looked up slowly to see a kind old man with a long grey beard and long grey hair, his kind yet wise eyes staring back at him. Tet took the tea and started sipping it, the warmth calming his nerves.
"Thank you, Iroh, it's always a pleasure to see you," Tet said cheerfully, some life returning to his voice.
"Oh, you're too kind, my friend, but I've actually come today to ask you a favor," Iroh said with a gentle smile.
"Oh yeah, what's that?" Tet asked in surprise, raising an eyebrow.
"I had so much fun teaching Miss Merlin how to make tea that I began to wonder, are all people from other worlds as fascinating? So my question is, could you perhaps set my tea shop up with a door like yours?" Iroh asked, his tone hopeful.
"You want me to connect your tea shop to the multiverse?" Tet said in surprise, sitting up slightly.
"Indeed. Meeting strangers from other worlds, treating them to a cup of tea, and hearing their stories sounds amazing," Iroh said in delight, his eyes practically glowing at the thought.
"You know what, I like it. Consider it done," Tet replied with a small grin.
"Wonderful, thank you, my friend," Iroh said warmly as he got up to take his leave.
"Alright, Hestia, Vesta, did anything happen while I was gone?" Tet asked, rubbing his face as he looked at his fiancé's.
"Other than Artemis and Ace returning from their honeymoon with their newborn twins, not much," Hestia replied casually.
"What? How long was I gone?" Tet said in shock, sitting upright.
"Not long, but goddesses don't stay pregnant that long. How do you think Aphrodite was able to have several children a year?" Hestia said back, completely unfazed.
"Didn't need to know that," Tet replied, grimacing slightly.
Hestia started going over his list and said, "Dear, not all of these need your direct involvement. You have your horsemen, your Apostles, and so many others that can handle these things," Hestia said as she rolled up the list and firmly forced Tet to relax in a comfy chair.
"But I promised my Apostles I'd never tell them what to do," Tet said to Hestia, frowning slightly.
"Dear, thanks to you, two of them collect power and weapons everywhere they go, one of them is living a happy life with his wife and daughter, and the fourth one picks up a new woman in every world he goes to. They owe you at this point. Who cares if you make them do a couple chores? Or better yet, I will. That way you didn't break your promise," Hestia said, placing her hands on her hips.
"What about the things they can't handle?" Tet replied, still looking uncertain.
"Then the horsemen can handle it," Hestia said sternly.
"Okay, but what about the stuff that they can't handle?" Tet replied once more, not letting it go.
"Then Apollo will handle it. Now stop talking and relax," Hestia said, pulling Tet's cheek.
Tet stopped arguing and laid back in his chair, finally giving in, as Hestia took his list, divided it into sections, and teleported them to several different people.
"I see now why she's Hestia Prime," Tia whispered to Vesta, watching the scene with quiet awe.
"Just be thankful she has no plans to assimilate us," Vesta whispered back, her voice low.
(Authors Note: For the love of God Somebody make Iroh's multiversal tea shop a thing I'd do it but I've got to many series already)