Finale
(New Orleans)
Stephen Strange has dealt with ridiculous situations before. He has played baseball with demons, he was trapped inside the Eye of Agomatto and had to deal with an abundancy Alice in Wonderland creatures, and he's had to deal with the fact that he is 'facial hair bros' with Tony Stark since the man decided to dub them as such.
But this situation before him is on another level. For one reason.
"How could you possibly think I would ever make a deal with you?"
He looks at Mephistopheles in his human disguise incredulously. Wondering why the demon could possibly think he, Doctor Stephen Strange, master of the mystic arts and former Sorcerer Supreme, would ever make a deal with him. The good doctor is not a fool. He knows that when it comes to dealings with demons, Mephistopheles in particular, there are ulterior motives. Hell, it's been well-established to the public thanks to both religious organizations and pop culture.
Which one has had more of an impact is up for debate.
The demon lord, who has decided to take a vacant chair, and sits up straight while still ignoring Maria Hill, her men, and their guns, chuckles, "Forgive me. I chose my words poorly. What I meant to say was, ``Let's make a pact.'"
"A pact?"
Now he's less in disbelief and more confused and suspicious. Mephistos suggestion is such a bizarre and old way of doing things. And it's not one demons are known for doing.
"Isn't that the same thing?" Hill questions while keeping her gun trained on Mephisto.
Strange's suspicion does not leave him as he stays silent for a moment while keeping his eyes on the demon in front of him before he answers her, "No it's not. A deal with a demon would leave a mark on someone's soul or at worst cost them a part of their soul." Mephisto's smirk grows a little. "And that's just the deal itself. The terms of the deal are your soul or an action that would damn it."
"To simplify," the condescension in Mephisto's tone is palpable, "Say if I were to offer you money. Now I could ask for your soul in exchange." He gets a look of distaste. "But for me personally that would be pointless. After all, your actions with the money could damn you or you could already be damned."
Strange scoffs, "And if neither is the case, he would specifically ask for something that would damn you."
"Rather cynical," Mephisto gives him an affronted look before he smirks, "But not altogether untrue."
Hill, seeing the demon not even paying any mind to her and her men's guns, decides to lower her weapon and signals her men to do the same, "So then what's a pact?"
Stephen doesn't want to answer her, he knows what she would do with such information, but with Mephisto here, he doesn't have a choice.
"A pact is an agreement between two magic users," Strange explains, "If one were to renegade on the agreement without the consent of the other party or not hold up their end-"
"The consequences would be rather dire," Mephistopheles finishes for him with a sinister smile.
Strange does not waiver in the staring contest with the demon lord. However, his mind is wandering. Why would Mephisto offer such a thing? There could potentially be no upsides to this for him. Stephen would not agree to anything that could potentially harm him or cost him anything significant.
And why is Stephen considering this?
"But he's a demon," Once more the vocal agent speaks up, "Not a sorcerer."
Mephisto rolls his eyes at the sheer stupidity of the man, "I'm also a lord of hell, you simpleton. Meaning I have power and said power can be used for many things. Including magic to make pacts. "
"Either way," Strange cuts in, "Why would I agree to such a thing?"
"To save your friend and yourself," Mephisto dully and rhetorically states, "You are researching dark spells to destroy Daniel Drumm and save Spider-Man aren't you? Those texts there are infernal texts. Meaning that just reading them does something to your mind."
Strange scoffs dismissively at the warning, "I've warded my mind to such things a long time ago."
Mephisto raises an eyebrow at that before he shrugs, "Even so, casting the spells you require will still have risks." He gives him a knowing look, "Especially when you consider who you are casting them on. I'm merely here to make sure that doesn't happen."
Strange, having no idea what he's referring to, huffs, "Really? How stupid do you think I am?"
The demon lord merely looks at him condescendingly before he waves his hand dismissively, "Very well." He gets up to leave, "Take whatever risks you will. I'm sure it will work out well for you and him." He stops at the door, "After all it's not like there are certain cosmic factors to consider."
Strange furrows his eyebrows together at that statement. Then his eyes widen as it hits him on what Mephistopheles could be insinuating. The deal and the Phoenix. Strange had let those tidbits of information slip his mind.
"Wait." He surprises Hill and her men as shift their attention between him and Mephisto, "These other factors," He tries his best to not outright speak what is on his mind, "Do you mean to say that they would-"
"Allow me to save you the trouble," Mephisto fully turns around and stands at the door, "These spells are powered by hell. So what do you think?"
Stephen doesn't know what to think. The demon lord could just be lying to him. It's what he's most famously known for. But at the same time, there is some truth to what he's saying. If Strange were to cast these spells on Spider-Man, he wouldn't know the full repercussions until they happen and he would most likely not be able to stop them.
Yes, the scrolls tell him what could happen in theory. But without more information about Spider-Man's situation, then he could end up doing more harm than good.
Mephisto sighs as he rolls his eyes, "I'll tell you what, I'll even sweeten it more by allowing you to ask me two questions." He lifts up two fingers as he gives him a knowing look that is still very evil-looking, "Two questions that due to recent events, have been burning at the forefront of your mind."
Stephen looks at the demon accusingly as he is surprised that he would know what he's been thinking about. The deal with Spider-Man and Miss Watson and the questions that came with it that he has been dying to ask. He bites the inside of his cheek. He knows even if it's not a deal there are likely to be consequences. Not just to him but to Spider-Man as well.
But if he doesn't go through with this, his friend will likely be killed.
The former Sorcerer Supreme sighs and reluctantly asks, "What do you want?"
A satisfied smile slowly forms on Mephistopheles's face.
(Avengers Mansion)
Drumm cannot believe his luck. His plan was simple. Kill any sorcerers that could be a threat to him and frame Stephen Strange as a bonus. Kill all the man's friends as he jumps from one body to the next. And when all is said and done, kill the man himself.
Simple.
And he wasn't a fool. He knew there would be factors he could not have anticipated. He may be familiar with who Doctor Strange's associates are, but he doesn't know them enough. He thought Ms. Hand would provide enough knowledge to launch an attack since she is the liaison of Strange's team. She had the trust of Captain America so he assumed she would have the trust to carry the knowledge of all the parties involved, but evidently, there was one who did not trust Victoria at all.
Spider-Man. The hero he is unintentionally possessing and unable to evacuate from. He doesn't understand why he was sucked into the hero, but he was and now he is trapped inside. The man unintentionally ruined his plans by doing nothing except saving Victoria Hand. And Drumm tried having him gunned down so that his own loa could be freed, but that did not pan out as he hoped. The pain was almost unbearable but fortunately, it did not last very long.
Now however he has to not only discover a way to remove himself from the hero's body, barring having him killed because he'd rather not have to go through that painful experience again, but he also has to deal with the heroes before him. Including a woman, he's never seen or heard about!
Though it seems Spider-Man does know who she is. And on some level, Daniel is very jealous.
The red-headed woman with the sword pointing upwards, ready to take the head off, reels it back a bit more, "What is your choice spirit?"
Drumm smirks confidently at her, "Killing me, will kill your beloved."
Her eyes harden, "How foolish of you to assume such a thing."
Before Drumm could respond, Captain Marvel floats forward next to the woman and looks at her accusingly, "Okay, who are you and how do you know Spider-Man?"
The woman does not turn her gaze away from him as she responds, "I am Red Sonja and I am here to rescue the fool."
"Lucky sonuva-" Tony mutters loud enough to be heard by her, "I swear for all his complaints about his 'bad luck.'"
Sonja smirks as if she got the joke and Drumm decides he's had enough lying on the ground and attacks her.
He springs forward while he pops out the stingers from the wrists and aims for her, admittedly lovely, face. She parries the attack with her sword and strikes him on the cheek with the back end of it. He doesn't waste time as he continues his attack on her with another thrust aimed at her stomach and she again parries. Going with the momentum she twirls and swings downward to aim for the shoulder which he blocks with the stinger. He pulls his hands back and thrusts both stingers forward and she blocks with the flat end of her blade, letting out a loud metal clang sound.
Though the block does not prevent her from being pushed back as her feet skid across the ground. She stops just a short distance in front of the Avengers who are looking at her in shock.
Well, some are looking at her face. Others aren't.
Red Sonja stands tall twirls her blade and points it to the ground, "If all you're going to do is stare then leave. I'd prefer not to gouge your eyes out to avoid feeling them on me while I try to free my Spider."
(X)
He doesn't know what to make of this. He hasn't seen Sonja in years. The last time he saw her was when a small part of New York was warped into a pocket dimension of her world. He doesn't remember the name but he does know it was some kind of Game of Thrones world. Medieval times with knights, dragons, and evil sorcerers. And the worst part of the whole thing was that MJ was being possessed by the spirit of the Red Sonja because she picked up her sword again. She may not remember it, but he still does. He remembers the feeling he had that first time, the dread he had when he thought MJ was in mortal danger because some warrior spirit used her. Noble intentions or not.
And now that seems to be the case again. It terrifies him to his core to think of Mary Jane being involved in the madness of his life in this way.
"So," Spider-Woman starts as she raises an eyebrow at their distracted leader, "Do we help, or are all guys gonna keep staring at her a$$ until she's done with Spidey and comes back to keep her word?"
He sees Steve shake his head and clear his throat, "Right! Plan is the same! Just hold him here until Strange comes!"
Oh great, now everyone is against him.
They all charge and the first one to attack is Hawkeye as the man fires an arrow at Spidey's feet. Drumm may ignore the spider sense, but at least he doesn't ignore common sense as he jumps away from the arrow when it starts to beep.
However, it proves to be fruitless as the arrow doesn't explode in the usual fashion. Instead, it sends a sonic sound wave that discombobulates him while he's in the air. Because he's discombobulated he doesn't notice Captain America's shield flying at him. It strikes him in the stomach and bounces off him back into the hands of the leader.
Spider-Man lands on his back but doesn't stay long as he flips out of the way of Red Hulk stomping on the ground where he just was.
"I ain't got much of a problem doing this you know." The big red meany smiles at him, "Pretty sure the others are feeling the same."
"And this is the thanks I get for saving the world." Spider-Man once again gains control for the moment before Drumm takes back over, "Argh! Will you stop doing that?!"
The demand is directed at Spider-Man but he still can't respond for some reason. You'd think with Drumm being inside his body there would be some way to communicate with the man.
He sees that he distracted Red Hulk and Daniel attempts to capitalize on it by striking at him with his stingers but is stopped when he leans back to avoid another arrow that flies past his head. Spider-Man whips his head to the culprit, Hawkeye, but doesn't get a word out as a hook with a metallic line latches onto his arm. Black Widow is at the other end of it and she presses a button on her wrist bracelet that sends an electric shock across the wire.
"Gah!" Spidey shouts in slight pain before he sees the lines get pulled on by Thor as the god of thunder flies by. As Widow releases the line, Thor pulls the line and swings Spidey into the mansion and he breaks through several layers of the place before he winds up in the dining room.
He groans on the ground underneath some rubble at both the pain and the situation of him getting beaten up by his friends. He can't tell if they feel remorse in doing this or not.
"Your chances of winning are staggeringly low," Vision phases up from the floor, "I suggest you remain down."
Spidey would like to make a quip but he only has a small window of control right now, so he quickly speaks, "Tell them that when my spider-sense is triggered and he allows it to guide him, I gain back control for a bit."
Vision titles his head before he becomes intangible as Drumm attacks because he expected the synthetic to be momentarily surprised.
He doesn't know Vision processes information faster than any human.
The android turns to him, "I have an open communication right now. Captain Rogers heard you as did the others." He then grabs him by his suit and tosses him through the ceiling, "Barring your new friend. Who everyone else seems curious about."
He bets they are.
(X)
Sonja enters the mansion the moment the oddly colored flying man tosses her possessed Spider through the ceiling. She also heard him say everyone is curious about her.
"I bet they are." She hears Mary Jane say to her and she smirks in amusement.
After conversing more with the young woman, Sonja and she merged like never before. They are still more or less separate beings with their own thoughts, but they do now share a presence in the world. Sonja had remained dormant inside Mary Jane for so long, she essentially grew with her and learned with her, for the most part. She was not always awake and aware of what was happening.
Not until recently.
"So," She beside her and sees the archer trying his best not to ogle her, "How does the webhead know you?"
She regards him for a moment before she focuses back ahead, "He's seen me naked."
"Sonja!" Mary Jane shouts at her bluntness and again she is amused but does not outwardly show it.
She hears a scoff behind her, "Can't be that hard with that outfit."
"Reow."
"Shut up, Tony."
Sonja doesn't turn around to respond to that comment as she decides to warn them about Spider-Man, "We should tread carefully in this fight."
"Why is that?" Captain America looks at her curiously.
THWAM!
Spider-Man crashes back down through the ceiling to the ground and Vision slams down into him creating a crater.
Sonja and MJ try not to think too harshly about the android as Sonja tenses up for what is most likely going to happen soon, "Because it's about to get worse."
The android floats above the crater and blankly looks down into it before suddenly he is tackled hard enough for there to be a small shockwave.
Everyone rushes back outside as the flyers go to back up their teammate.
Sonja looks at the fight going on in the sky with a critical eye as P. Spider-Man springs off the android, "I've seen him fight," She sees the God of Thunder take a swing with his hammer but gets kicked in the face before it connects, "I know what he's capable of when he is backed into a corner," The blonde heroine receives a blow to the stomach that launches her into the brunette spider heroine, "He becomes even more dangerous," The genius inventor aims his repulsors but the possessed hero fires a web line to redirect the blast, "He may be possessed right now but that still is his body," The man then corkscrew kicks the billionaire and they both come barreling down, "Add on to the fact he's stronger than before, the anger and adrenaline will give him the edge he needs."
KRAKOOM!
They impact the ground hard enough to crack it and break every window in the mansion. P. Spider-Man leaps out of the crater and lands in front of them. He is breathing raggedly and his costume is torn and has blood stains.
And a single eye is revealed and it is glaring vehemently at them.
"Peter can hold himself back enough to not go overboard." Sonja admires the faith Mary Jane has in him, "But we still need to figure something out before it's too late." Sonja knows what to do, but not how to do it, "Then ask for help."
Not a bad idea.
(X)
Great. Now Drumm is mad. He was mad before but now he's in that mood Peter gets in when he's pushed to the edge. That one where his villains get scared of him because he's taking them seriously now. It's not something he's proud of because he knows how dangerous he can be. He can hold back enough to not kill his friends, but they can still be severely harmed. Especially if Drumm uses his stingers.
Fortunately Tony seems to be still alive if his groans from inside the crater are any indication. And Pete is pretty sure he didn't kill any of the others. Hurt them probably but not killed.
"I can kill him," Sonja speaks up and her words make him and everyone around worry, "I can kill Drumm."
"You'd be killing Spider-Man," Luke points out the obvious.
Sonja shakes her head negatively, "No. My sword can destroy the evil spirit specifically."
The moment those words came out of her mouth, Drumm shot at her like a bullet out of a gun. She wasn't fast enough to avoid the tackle and they both go barreling through the group of heroes. Cap recovers quickly with a flip and sees Drumm pin her to the ground. He tosses his shield and it hits his target in the back of the head and Spider-Man feels his skull ring.
That momentary daze was all Sonja needed to kick the possessed hero off her. In the air, he is hit with a repulsor blast courtesy of Iron Man and is launched through the mansion again.
At this point, the mansion has about as many holes as a sponge.
Cap leads some of the heroes that are still willing and able into the mansion to continue the fight, while a few remain back. The ones that remain are Widow, Iron Fist, and Luke. For what reason, Sonja can only guess as she lies on the ground.
"What did you mean before?" Black Widow asks her as she steps and extends her hand to the warrior woman, "With your sword?"
Sonja takes the offered appendage and stands up as she responds, "I can kill the spirit that is possessing Spider-Man, but so long as he is in the forefront of the mind."
Tony flies next to them after recovering from his blow and as the others rush into the mansion, "If you mean that Casper needs to be in the driver's seat, then that might be a problem. Spidey relayed to us that when his danger sense goes off he gains back control for a second."
"Oh no," The fear she hears from Mary Jane is something she shares from that bit of information, "In a situation like this, it's gonna be going off like crazy."
Sonja nods in understanding and agreement. There would be no real opening to strike then. She looks at the new hole of the mansion and tries to come up with a proper strategy as the others continue to battle.
"So," Tony casually walks up to her, and even though he's wearing his helmet she can tell his eyes are not on her face, "Where did Sticky meet you, and are there any more like you?"
Sonja turns to raise an eyebrow at him and before she can respond a wave of magical energy starts to emanate from the ground. It forms into a pillar and out comes Stephen Strange, but the man falls to his knees.
Iron Fist quickly rushes to the man, "Doctor!"
The sorcerer is helped to his feet, "Thank you, Daniel." He turns his attention to the hole, "I see it's gotten to this point." He turns his attention and is about to address them before he pauses on her, "I'm sorry, who is this?"
"Red Sonja," She introduces herself as politely as she can while ignoring his wandering eyes.
"Yeah, we're gonna do something about this outfit later."
While she would prefer not to, since her body is a valuable weapon she is proud to use to win in battles, she will adhere to Mary Jane about their wardrobe in her form. She understands there are customs and expectations in this modern world.
But she will still expect some freedom in whatever she suggests.
"We'll figure something out later."
(X)
After just coming back from New Orleans, Stephen is perplexed by the newcomer. He senses something about her. She has a magical presence but it is not a familiar or frightening feeling.
"RARGH!"
But he doesn't focus on her long as there is something else that requires his attention. Strange sees Red Hulk fly out through the roof and then not long after Spider-Man comes plowing out through the mansion with Luke as his forefront meat shield. Luke stomps his feet and manages to drive the possessed hero's head into the ground.
He stops for a moment but then contorts his body at an odd angle and manages to slip out of Cage's grasp. He tries to grab the man but Natasha pulls out her guns and fires them both. The bullets hit the knees and he drops before Carol comes flying out and puts him in a chokehold.
Steve comes rushing out of the hole and notices him, "Strange!"
He comes over and Stephen notices the cuts and bruises on the man. Clearly, Drumm is putting up a hell of a fight. Even against all of them.
Steve stops just in form of him, "Tell me you have something."
Stephen nods, "I do." He turns his attention to the sky where Carol loses her grip as the possessed hero jabs a stinger into her thigh and then pulls her down by the leg, "But I need you to keep attacking him for it to work."
She kicks him with her other leg to get him off and then blasts him with her photon energy.
"Might be easier said than done." Cap watches the younger hero crash into the ground and make another crater, "He's been recovering fast and whatever is possessing him isn't holding back."
"He is." They both look at Sonja as he keeps her eyes on the crater, "Spider-Man is holding him back. Believe me, if he weren't, not one of you would be alive."
"You know," He hears Clint speak up as he climbs out of the hole looking worse for wear, "I know what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. But when it does, you're not supposed to come back this strong."
Strange refocuses his attention on his possessed friend, who climbs out of the crater, bloodied and breathing heavily, "Listen," They turn their attention to him, "Just keep hitting him and hold him in place. The spells I have will not work unless he is worn down."
Cap gains a reluctant expression before it hardens and he nods, "Alright you heard him! Take him down!"
(X)
The moment those words came out of Cap's mouth, Spidey saw his friends gain reluctant expressions. Some of them at least. Two or three of them seemed eager to do this.
Jerks.
Anyway, he would like to help but the most he can manage is holding back his strength as much as he can. But Drumm getting angry isn't helping since the chemicals that do that in his brain leak over when he takes over. It makes him kind of lightheaded every time. Going from angry to not in seconds.
He wonders if that's how Banner and the other Hulks feel.
He would dwell on that some more but Drumm seems to freeze for a moment as his attention seems to be locked on one person.
"STRANGE!"
All the constant yelling and shouting is putting such a strain on his vocal cords.
The good doctor glares at him and steps forward, "Drumm! I'm the one you want! Let Spider-Man go!"
How does nobody understand that the vengeful spirit is trapped inside him?! He's been shouting it since he started!
Drumm seems to be tired of saying so because all he does is try to attack Strange but Thing bulldozes his way out of the mansion and shoulder-checks him just as he gets close. As he rolls across the lawn, Clint fires another arrow that wraps electrically charged wires around him. Iron Man then swoops down and blasts him with some rockets. Spidey crashes through the mansion and finds himself in the garage.
Huh, he didn't even know they had one.
He sprung to his feet and feels the wires snap as his arms are flexed. Then he flies out of the hole he came in but then gets hit with a sudden feeling of vertigo.
His vision gets pulled back and he suddenly finds himself in the Astral plane where he first encountered Drumm. Standing on a field of flowers but this time there is a screen where he still sees himself fighting his friends.
"Spider-Man."
The hero turns to Stephen Strange who is a ghostly figure right now.
"Doc," Spider-Man feels a huge amount of relief at seeing his friend and being able to talk to someone, "Thank god you're here. Please tell me you got something that'll help."
Strange gets an uncertain expression, "I might but something about this is bothering me."
"What is it?"
"How is Drumm able to do this?" Strange inquires, as he paces, "It doesn't make any sense for him to be able to possess you. With you being the host of the Phoenix, he should have not been able to do this."
Oh, is that all?
"The Phoenix isn't alive right now," Spider-Man explains, getting Stephen to whip his head in his direction and looks at him in disbelief, "It's not even inside of me."
"What?! I thought you said you volunteered to be it's host?!"
"I did! But it's not alive yet! It's an egg right now and it's tied up on the web!"
Strange gets even more confused, "The web?!"
Spider-Man nods, "Yeah. It being an egg right now kind of means it can't be inside me. At least from what I was told."
Strange looks at him incredulously, "You couldn't have mentioned this sooner?!"
"I'm sorry alright! I forgot to mention some things! It was a lot to go through and process! Can we please just focus?!"
Strange wants to say more but stops when he realizes he'd just waste more time if he argues. This would make things easier anyways. He can deal with Drumm without the worry of drawing the ire of the Phoenix.
Strange thinks about that before he grunts in frustration, "Fine!"
(X)
Sonja saw the sorcerer cast a spell and believed it was one that would help in their fight, but nothing notable had happened. The only thing that happened was the man closed his eyes for a second and then opened them but looked to be in a trance.
She would ask why that is but opts to fight the possessed hero with the others. With a flick of her wrist, she switches her sword out for her spear and charges at him. He threw back the large dark-skinned man and turns just in time to see her. She thrusts in quick succession and each thrust strikes true and through. By the nineteenth strike, which is in his shoulder, he grabs the spear and holds it there.
She tries to pull it out but it doesn't budge an inch. She doesn't let go as he allows the wounds to close.
"You know he feels these don't you?"
Sonja glares at him as he goes to punch her but is stopped when Thor arrives and hits him in the chest with his hammer. Sonja nods in gratitude at the Norse god, and he nods back before he goes to continue his assault. Sonja stays back as she thinks about what was said. Well not really what was said but more of how it was said. She notes that there was no hint of Spider-Man's voice when he spoke this time.
She senses a presence by her and by muscle memory, she twirls her spear around to point it at the person.
"Woah! Easy there Xena!" Stark leans back with his hands raised, "On the same side here remember?"
Sonja doesn't lower her blade immediately and lets the genius sweat a little more. She has memories of how this man was in part responsible for what happened in Peters and Mary Jane's life. Much of it was good but the end was bad. The only reason she is not thrusting her spear through him is because of the good.
She lowers her spear after a few moments and turns her attention back to the battle.
Meanwhile, Stark rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably, "I get the feeling we've met." She raises an eyebrow in a way to ask why he would think that, "Cause usually the women who want to skewer me know me personally."
"Makes sense," Sonja nods in agreement.
"Tony," Stephen Strange steps beside them as they turn to him.
Stark nods in greeting, "Doc, tell me we've done enough damage."
Strange nods in confirmation, "Yes, but it will still take some effort to destroy Drumm."
Sonja would ask why that is the case, but rather than waste time she offers a solution, "No it won't." They look at her curiously, "My sword can destroy the spirit. All I need is the chance to strike it."
They both look at her for a moment before Stark speaks, "Alright, you heard the warrior goddess. Just exorcize the demon and she'll send it to hell."
Stark flies to help the others and leaves the two of them.
"Is your sword really capable of such a thing?" Strange asks, obviously doubting her.
She doesn't answer and instead flicks her wrist to swap her spear for her sword and holds it in front of her. He looks over it and hovers his hand over it. He looks at it and her in surprise before he nods in acceptance.
"Get ready." He tells her before he waves his hands to prepare the spells he needs, while Sonja watches on in fascination.
She wonders if she can learn such things. Such skills and abilities would be very useful to her. She is an expert in weapons and martial arts. Her body is in peak condition and maybe more due to her new circumstances. But she can't deny that with magic she would be a force to be reckoned with more than she is now.
"Maybe we can ask Peter to ask him to teach us something," Mary Jane suggests and Sonja likes it, "But let's focus on saving him first."
Sonja agrees. She readies herself by crouching low and reeling back her blade. The sorcerer casts the spell and it whirls its way to Spider-Man, who has Captain Rogers in his hand. The possessed hero drops the man and becomes shocked by what he sees.
A pentagram appears below him and foul energy that makes Sonjas skin crawl leaks through it. Spiked chains sprout out from below and wrap around him, tapping him in place. He writhes in place as they look to also be burning him. The wind picks up as she sees the doctor perform another spell, with the same type of foul magic, and makes a pulling motion.
"Daniel!" Strange shouts over the rushing winds, "I know why you killed Daimon and Jennifer! I know it wasn't just because you wanted to hurt me and frame me for their deaths! You were afraid of them!"
The spirit begins to seep out of Spider-Mans form as the winds and screams continue.
"You knew they would perform dark spells that I would never have done as Sorcerer Supreme! But that there also lies the problem! I'm no longer the Sorcerer Supreme!"
The spirit seems to be almost out now, "STRANGE!"
Stephen just glares at the spirit as he clenches his hands, "You hurt and killed my friends! So those self-placed restrictions, no longer MATTER!"
The spirit is pulled out completely, and Strange then performs another spell to bind him the in air.
Without being told, Sonja jumps in the air and stabs the spirit in the heart and it looks at her in shock she coldly stares back, "I did warn you what I would do."
Then with a yell, she pulls her blade out through the shoulder and somehow makes a bloody scene.
"AAAAAGGGHHH!" Drumm shouts in agony as he feels more pain than when he possessed the hero and was being attacked from all over. As he is being destroyed, he feels something being pulled out of him. A part of him that has been with him since his death. In his last few seconds, he sees wisps of his power travel over to the warrior woman's blade. Whether she sees this or not, she doesn't show and he doesn't know. All she does is keep her eyes on him as he fades away.
Daniel Drumm is no more.
Strange suddenly winces in discomfort and grabs his head. Not two seconds later his eyes snap open, "Oh god." He says in disbelief, "What have I done?"
His friends look at him in worry, assuming that he regrets what just happened, but that isn't it. His mind is on what he did before he arrived. What he thought he needed to do to save his friend. And right now his mind is telling him something different.
It was a lie.
A bright light gets his attention and he sees a face he has not seen in a very long time.
"Stephen."
"The Ancient One."
(X)
Spider-Man lies on the ground in exhaustion with his eyes closed. Having fought his friends because he was possessed will do that to a guy. He doesn't want to get up. He just wants to stay on the ground and wait for sweet blissful death to take him. Again.
He feels a hand caress his face and he opens his eyes. The world is a little blurry, but he does see a top of red hair. His vision clears and he sees a familiar face looking at him fondly. A face that he is conflicted about seeing.
"Sonja," He greets her and she smiles, "How?"
While he is grateful she helped in this fight. He is not too thrilled about her being here. Because if she is here then that means so is another redhead that should not be. And most likely against her will.
"I have her permission this time," She tells him, and hearing that does calm him a little, "She wanted to come and save you."
His heart aches when he hears that, "After everything?" Sponja nods, "Why?"
She gives him a smile that he has only seen on one other redhead and she rhetorically inquires, "Isn't it obvious?"
It is. And for the life of him, he doesn't understand why. Why does she love him? After all the pain and turmoil he brought to her life, and a lot he doesn't even remember, why doesn't she hate him? Why do they keep coming back to each other when all logic says they shouldn't? They have nothing in common and yet they can't see their lives without the other being in it.
Just why?
"Spider-Man?"
They look up to see his friends' concerned and weary faces. They are not convinced it's over yet.
He lifts his hand up and smiles his goofy smile, which can be seen due to the bottom of his mask being tattered, "Hey everybody."
Seeing his smile does get them to relax and Captain America kneels next to him.
"Good to see you're alright," he places a hand on the younger hero shoulder, "Nothing is broken or misplaced?"
Spider-Man sits up and wiggles around a bit before he responds, "Far as I can tell."
"Good," Tony steps up next to him and his faceplate lifts up to show his slightly bruised but serious face, "Now I got two questions," he points to Sonja, "How do you know this woman, and are there any more like her?"
Sonja gives the wealthy man a bland look, and Spider-Man looks at her for a second before he responds "Long story and no."
Tony's head drops in disappointment, "Damn."
Everyone rolls their eyes at him.
"Incoming!"
A shout from the sky gets them to look up and see a fiery object coming at them. But the object stops and reveals itself to be the Human Torch.
"Alright!" Johnny shouts as he ball his hands together to form a fireball, "I'm here to take this menace down and save all of you." he then winks at Sonja, "Including you pretty lady!"
Everyone just looks at him questioningly before Thing points out, "Fights over."
The man in the air's face seems to freeze for a moment, "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Peter says with irritation in his eyes.
Johnny puckers his lips and looks as if he's debating on what to do next before he lands on the ground, snuffing out his flames, "Oh, well that's good."
His tone suggests otherwise. His eyes also flicker to Sonja and that's something that Spider-Man picks up on.
"You've got to be kidding me." he says in disbelief, "Did you come out here just to show me up in front of her?"
"No!" Johnny denies that as he puffs up his chest, "I'm a hero! I go where I'm needed when I'm needed. I help any and all that need saving. And protect those who can't defend themselves. It's like I've told you a million times. With great power comes-"
"I will hurt you if you finish that sentence."
Not a single person buys that for a second. Johnny stands there in what he thinks is a heroic pose and Thing smacks his eyes with his hand. Peter gives him a dull look. And everyone else looks at him like he's an idiot.
Except for Sonja, the woman he is trying to impress.
Sonja is not impressed.
(X)
Carol is not the jealous type. She is confident in herself on every level. She is a well-respected veteran. She is a widely-known heroine. Galaxy-wide. And damn if she can't make any outfit she wears look good if the looks she gets from men and a fair amount of women are any indication.
She will deny it if anybody asks, but right now she is unbelievably jealous. Some redheaded Amazon she's never heard mention of, and who has no shame whatsoever, comes out of nowhere and declares her love for Spider-Man. Then promptly shows Carol up by showing she can handle whatever the possessed hero can dish out while Carol gets hit three times by him.
Granted they were surprised attacks, but still.
And now after the fighting and cleanup, that same redhead is standing by him protectively. She only allowed Doctor Strange to check him. Some SHIELD medics wanted to come and check on him but she glared them away. So they just focused their effort on everyone else.
Everyone is also keeping a weary eye on her. This woman is a total stranger to them. Just because the webhead vouches for her doesn't mean they will trust her. But they will give her the benefit of the doubt. So long as she doesn't do anything that would warrant them not to trust her. Though right now Carol can see a familiar look in her eye. A look a woman gets when she can feel men ogle at her like she is a piece of meat. And while the woman is wearing an outfit that suggests she is asking to be ogled at, she clearly doesn't enjoy it. So maybe it's connected to her powers somehow? If that's the case that would stink. She'd get judged for it when she couldn't help it.
Well, regardless Carol is willing to admit to herself that she does respect the woman for resisting the urge she herself has felt the need to do whenever she felt eyes on her. Gouging out their eyes. She understood the urge when she was in her old outfit. And a little in this one.
"Carol?"
The blonde heroine hears her name and turns to her friend, Jessica Drew, AKA Spider-Woman.
The brunette looks at her curiously, "You okay love?"
Carol shrugs dismissively and she assumes her friend is referring to her injuries as she rubs her bandaged thigh, "Eh, I've taken worse hits. You know that."
"Not what I meant." Jess gestures with her head to the two she was just looking at.
Now getting what she is referring to, Carol turns her attention away, "What does it matter to me?"
Before Spider-Woman can press further she sees Luke and his wife Jessica walking toward them.
"Hey guys." Jessica greets them.
"Sup." Luke nods at them.
"Hey, you two." Jess notices they're missing a very important member of their family, "Where's the baby?"
"Doreen is watching her." Jessica tells them with a pleased smile, "She got me and the baby out when the fight started. I told her to double back so she could help but she said that making sure the baby was safe was her first job."
Carol smirks at her husband, "I guess this means you have to give that girl a raise."
Luke looks like he just swallowed a lemon, "We'll talk if she brings it up."
Jessica gives him a look, before Carol asks, "So what are you two still doing here?"
Ignoring the look he's getting from his wife, Luke answers, "I got to talk to Stark."
Seeing that he's ignoring her, but she will bring it up later, Jessica gives Carol a sympathetic look, "You okay?"
Knowing she's referring to the same as the other Jessica, Carol waves off her concern, "I'm fine." Seeing they're not convinced, Carol turns away from them, "Seriously guys it's not a big deal." She sees the object of her affection is still with the Amazon and she gets a little disheartened, "It was just a stupid crush."
And there. She admits it to them. She had a crush on the spandex-wearing chaotic doofus who is enamored with another woman. The woman who saved his life. The woman who has his undivided attention. And if that look in his eyes is any indication, a great amount of love and affection.
She's not bitter about it.
She feels a hand on her shoulder and sees her British friend giving her a gentle smile, "Come on. Let's go say our goodbyes and then let's get some ice cream and binge-watch Grey's Anatomy."
She gives her an appreciative smile, "Thanks, Jess." She slings her arm around her friend's shoulder, "You're a good friend.
Jessica returns the gesture to her taller friend, "And don't you forget it, love."
As she walks towards the rest of their friends, she doesn't see the critical look Sonja is giving her.
(X)
While Captain Rogers speaks with Maria Hill about what to tell the public, the rest of the entire group of heroes stands by Doctor Strange as the man examines Spider-Man to make sure there are no residual effects from his spells. But they all also are conversing about what had happened and how strong Spider-Man is now. Stark, being one of the people who examined him when he returned, answers their questions, while the subject of their questions converses with the two members of the Fantastic Four. And Sonja stands by him while eyeing the approaching group, specifically the blonde heroine.
"Great. Another one. Like Felicia wasn't bad enough."
Sonja is pretty sure there are more. It's difficult to not be infatuated with the fool.
"Ugh don't remind me."
Mary Jane's frustration aside, Sonja instead refocuses on the group coming to them. Mary Jane is not one to get involved in this part of her love's life. Mostly because he doesn't want to put her in any danger. But if she decides to uphold the conditions to keep her around, then she will have to get to know these people better. Including the approaching group.
And they will hopefully put an end to the current conversation.
"Are you one hundred percent sure that there are no others like her?"
"Yes!"
"Will ya give it a rest already?!"
The Human Torch has been bothering Spider-Man since he arrived. The fire-powered man seems to be very jealous of Spider-Man and slightly obsessed with her. Hasn't stopped badgering the man about her. And Sonja's patience is waning.
"You are gonna have to learn to have some patience. Especially if you want to be with Peter."
On that, she cannot argue. Fortunately, Mary Jane has enough patience to share.
"Eh."
Sonja tries not to smile as the group finally arrives and Luke steps forward, "Hey Stark." The inventor turns to the man, "You got five dollars?"
The inventor, along with everyone else, looks at the bulletproof man confused, "Uh, I think so."
"Do you need five dollars?" Iron Fist asks as the wealthy man looks into a compartment in his suit.
"I'm talking to Stark."
Stark pulls out the currency and hands it over to the man, "Here you go."
"Great." Luke snatches the money out of his hand with a big smile, "You just bought back the mansion."
"What?" Mary Jane is confused and frankly so is Sonja. The home may be in ruins but surely it is still worth more than five dollars. She was going to voice her questions to Spider-Man but when she looks at him she sees him patting himself down in search of something On his person.
If she recalls correctly, the man's wife, Jessica, steps to hug her fool, prompting him to stop what he was doing, "We're gonna raise our baby away from evil spirits, nazi robots, and cosmic firebirds that make our friends crazy."
Spider returns the hug just as affectionately, "So you're going to Disneyland?"
Jessica pulls back on her hug and gives him an amused annoyed look before she rolls her eyes and looks at Sonja, "Good luck."
Sonja smirks and crosses her arms confidently, which pushes up her bosom and makes the men stare, "I have faced all manner of dark creatures and hellish quests. The only true challenge will come from tolerating his insufferable sense of humor."
He gives her a look of betrayal as Jessica smiles and nods approvingly, "Ooh, I'm gonna like you."
Sonja doesn't point out that everyone does instead, she offers a handshake. Which the woman reciprocates.
They all watch the two married people leave. And Sonja feels the envy from Mary Jane leak over. Her host's desires are evident.
"Now," Stark speaks and turns to look at the ruined mansion, "What am I gonna do with this place?"
Sonja looks at the piece of property. While she may not be of the modern world, Mary Jane's own intuition leaks over and she thinks that the land still could be sold off for some value. However, if the man wants to repurpose it, he can turn it into a museum of the Avengers for the public.
"I'll give you ten dollars for it."
Everyone turns their attention to Spider-Man who is waving a slightly singed ten-dollar bill in Tony Starks face. The billionaire merely raises an eyebrow.
"You offered Luke thirteen," Iron Fist speaks up.
"Shh." He says to the martial arts expert before he temptingly waves the money in the billionaire's face.
The inventor looks back and forth between the money and the fool before he rolls his eyes and takes the currency, "Fine it's yours."
"Yes!" Spider-Man shouts as he thrusts his hands in the air with vigor, "I own a mansion!"
Everyone now watches as the fool shows why he is a fool, by doing a ridiculous dance. As he does, Sonja feels some happiness from Mary Jane. The woman is happy that her love is a proud owner of a home. She feels he deserves this. But there is also some resentment. The previous homeowner gave up the place to be with his family and that is something she doesn't want to bring up.
Sonja however does.
"Let him have this," Sonja would prefer to talk to the fool before something else occurs, "We will talk. But for now, let him have this. There's only so much joy he gets in life. I don't want to take any more away."
Sonja smiles a bit. She is truly amazed at the strength her host has. To be the pillar and rock for Spider-man and enduring everything that comes with it. Truly amazing.
And Sonja swears to protect it with all her might.
Spider-Man seems to reach the end of his celebratory dance as he thrusts his hands into the air and jubilantly shouts, "Everything's coming up Spidey!"
Crack.
Everyone except the happy new homeowner turns their attention away from him and turns it to his newly acquired home.
CRACK!
One of the remaining pillars from the outside begins to break from the strain of being the only one left standing. It eventually does and like a domino, the mansion collapses in on itself.
RRRUUUMMMBBBLLLEEE! CCCRRRAAASSSHHH!
…
…
…tnk!
All the heroes look at the collapsed building in shock. Not one of them expected that to happen.
Well not all of them.
Spider-Man slowly lowers his hands and turns around to look at the damage fully. The whole thing is rubble. Piles of brick, glass, and furniture all over the place. A few walls here and there are still standing somehow, and by some miracle, so are the entrance doors. Those are being held by a bit of brick.
Spider-Man looks to Iron Man, who slides the ten dollars into the compartment where he took out the five, "No refunds."
Spidey droops despondently and it almost seems like a dark cloud looms over his head.
"BAHAHAHAHA!" Johnny openly and loudly laughs at his friend's misfortune and falls to the floor kicking his feet in the air.
And that prompts Clint and Red Hulk to laugh as well though not in the same manner. Sonja and the other women cover their mouths to smother their own amusement and look away from the scene. And his more polite male friends are laughing but trying and failing to hide their amusement.
All in all, his friends are enjoying this immensely.
The new owner drags his feet to his newly purchased home, keeping his head and arms down as he does. He arrives at the door and opens it.
CREAK! THUMP!
When it's open all the way, the handle gets pulled off, the doors fall over, and the bit of brick holding it up collapses behind him. He stops moving for a moment before he just drops the handle and walks until he is in the center of the place. He falls to his knees, then to his side, and curls himself into a ball.
Back over with his 'friends', who seem to take great joy in his misery, Sonja is biting her lip to keep her laughter at bay as she keeps her sights on him. Once she is sure she will not laugh, she walks over to the destroyed home. To offer some comfort. She knows she will need to do that often.
Mary Jane is not exaggerating about the misfortune that surrounds the man.
She hears Captain America clear his throat, probably to suppress his amusement, "Ahem, y-you are gonna have this fixed, right?"
"Of course I am," Tony's voice has an indignant tone before it becomes teasing, "I'm just gonna let everyone enjoy this a little more."
Sonja rolls her eyes at that. She arrives next to the depressed hero but he doesn't acknowledge her presence. She kneels next to him, picks his head up, and places it on her legs before she pats him.
"I'm not surprised this happened," The exhaustion in his voice makes it hard for her not to smile, "Just surprised it happened before I went inside."
"Stop enjoying this."
It's really hard not to.