Are You Happy?

“Congratulations.”

Christine smiled, looking radiant in the sunlight, and tilted her drink towards the doctor. “Thank you, Stephen.”

Stephen let his lips draw into a thin line. He vacillated on whether he should ask the question or not, opening and closing his mouth like a fish for a few seconds until Christine grew weary of his act. 

“Just spit it out,” she said, more amused than exasperated at the doctor’s awkward antics. 

Stephen followed her order. “Why didn’t it work out between us?” It was a cruel, selfish question to be asking someone on a joyous day such as their wedding. But Stephen didn’t do it out of that motive. He drew it from curiosity…and a tinge of desperation. 

But mostly curiosity. 

Christine’s smile dropped, her amusement obviously dying out. She allowed herself to take a sip of her red wine and then swallowed slowly, the dimples on her cheek showing perfectly. “Well Stephen, I don’t know what you want me to say.”

“I just- I just want to know how to - how to do better. By someone, someday.”  Amber eyes from his dream last night flashed before him.  Christine’s expression immediately turned pitying and Stephen despised his decision to ask the question. He hated this sort of vulnerability, but he braved through it. 

“Oh, Stephen.” She came forward and placed her hand on his cheek, as she tilted her head. “You were never, well, you were never bad to me. We just didn’t click. And that’s okay.”

“Bullshit.” Stephen could clearly see through Christine’s attempt at balming his heart. “Give it to me straight Christine. You don’t have to do me any favours. I know for a fact that I hurt you multiple times during our relationship.”

Christine drew her hand back and sighed. “Fine. The truth is Stephen, it was just difficult. Our relationship was balanced on a precarious knife, but the knife always had to be held by you. And I respect you for it, but I couldn’t love you for it.” 

Stephen let out a deep sigh to the side and then nodded his head at Christine. “How long you’ve had that one in the barrel?”

Christine’s smile returned, and Stephen knew that even if he couldn’t love Christine the way she deserved, he would always appreciate their chemistry. Their banter was easy and satisfying as a friendship, but it turned turbulent and rash during a relationship. He could see that now. 

“Long time,” Christine replied. 

“Yeah, I bet.” Stephen kept his martini on the bar and shifted from one foot to the other. “Truly I’m just glad that you’re happy.”

Christine’s eyes crinkled with joy. “I am. I really, really am.” 

“Good.”

“Are you?”

The question caught Stephen by surprise, but he didn’t let it show. “I am,” he replied automatically. Christine patted his chest. 

“Good, you deserve it.”

She gave him one last look, one that held years of memories and emotions behind it. Then she gave him one small smile and her arm slid off of Stephen. The man couldn’t help but feel like it was possibly the last time he’d ever be in her presence. But where once it was from the fear of losing her to his profession, both when he was a doctor and now as a sorcerer, this time it was simply because he knew she would be happy and safe without him. 

Stephen had made the necessary sacrifices to ensure his loved ones were safe. To ensure as many people’s loved ones were safe as possible. He had failed in many cases, Doctor West’s brother and cats were his most recent reminder, but he couldn’t regret it. He had done what he had to do, and he nodded to himself assuredly. 

Stephen fell into the memory of his dream from last night. After 14 million alternate realities of watching the universe die, and if not the universe, then the people dying, which effectively sucked the life out of the universe; one would think Stephen had no more room to think up alternate theories. But his mind proved him wrong on multiple accounts. 

For the past couple of days, Stephen would fall into a blissful dream that quickly turned into a nightmare that left him panting and covered in his own cold sweat. But just as vividly as it affected him, all the more effectively it was forgotten and Stephen fell into his daily routine of maintenance. 

But last night, he had managed to hold onto glimpses of his dreams. Mere flashes. It started with a man, with shocking brown eyes. Like whiskey, or motor oil reflecting in the sun. Stephen knew it was a man because he had vivid images of the man entering him from above, the pleasure leaving him writhing in his sheets. A hand would caress long locks of his making Stephen wonder what decision could ever lead him to grow his hair out like that. Then the almost paradisiacal dream would take a turn for the worse. 

A child, with a broad smile, laughing and then screaming in fear. Then running, with Stephen in peculiar red garb, and then pain. Just pain. Both physically and emotionally. Stephen knew exactly what the emotional pain arose from. 

It was guilt. The pain of having betrayed someone you loved. Stephen had felt it many times in his alternate realities when he would watch his loved ones die because of his loyalty to the Time Stone. Christine turns into dust, Wong is pierced by a giant spear. Curiously, Spider-man seemed to hold some of his affection, and images of him being torn apart by Thanos’ Power Stone plagued him. And even more peculiar was his affection towards Tony Stark. 

Tony Stark, a hero, through and through, who had nothing to do with him save for their time together on Titan and in the final battle against Thanos. 

And the multiple realities where they grew close. 

Realities where they were intimate enemies, rivals, friends and even lovers. 

…Lovers…

Stephen knew the amber eyes in his dreams were the very same man. But Stephen accounted those procurements to the subconscious, lingering thought. He refused to confuse his current reality with the possibilities. 

No matter how enticing they were. 

No. Stephen was of sound mind. His mind was a fortress. He had full control and understanding of what was probable, and what wasn’t. And him and Tony Stark…it was merely remnants of his subconscious thought. Maybe if he reminded himself that enough times, he could manage to maintain his professional relationship with the man. He had to. It was the way things were supposed to be. 

The sound of cars crashing in the distance drew his attention. He quickly turned and then ran towards the source. From the balcony of the wedding hall, Stephen could see the carnage down below as he focused. Something was causing people to run away from the east avenue with fear. Clearly, this was something that called for his particular skill set.

 Stephen loved his grandiose gestures, and without much further ado, he downed his glass and placed it politely on the serving plate. Then he pulled out the magically concealed cloak from within his breast pocket and unfurled it as he simultaneously rolled over the balcony ledge, and leapt off. The sounds of people’s amazed gasps and camera clicks amused him. He quickly changed his suit into his Master garb as he fell. The cloak slowed his fall by stretching and then flew him towards the carnage. 

Stephen saw a car being lifted by some invisible force as he landed. It was flung at a woman on a bicycle, and he mindlessly set a chomping Denak demon to consume it. 

“Whew, don’t know how they’re gonna explain that one to insurance,” a chirpy voice came from behind him. Stephen turned only to find the infamous Tony Stark casually leaning against a wall, not even phased by what was going on. He didn’t look to be armed, but Stephen knew he was. He wore a simple blue shirt, with a mud green leather jacket over it and jeans. A casual look, complete with the set of gloves on his hands and a pair of shades. A causal good look, Stephen’s brain provided. 

“What’re you doing here?” Stephen asked as he began running towards the epicenter of the damage. Tony Stark followed hot on his heels. 

‘Getting a muffin. Was getting a muffin, doesn’t seem like I’m going to anymore. Was a really good muffin too…What’re you doing?”

Stephen furrowed his eyebrows as he saw a child in a denim jacket below the mess of flying cars, rather than away from it. Stephen performed the required hand movements for a revealing spell. What it did was show him a giant one-eyed monster with tentacles coming out from its sides. It was chasing the girl. Stephen pointed at the creature. “Clearly I’m dealing with this. You going to help?”

Tony cheekily pulled down his sunglasses and batted his eyelashes. “Need me that bad huh doc?”

“Shut up. We have work to do.” Stephen turned away before Tony could notice the blush working its way to his cheeks.

“Alright I’ll table it,” Tony pulled out his nano housing unit from his chest and stuck it to his chest. He activated it and the rest of his sentence came out with that robotic tinge it always had when the Iron Man suit formed over him within a second. “But don’t think this isn’t coming up soon.” 

The girl ran into a bus in her attempt to evade the monster, and the creature didn’t hesitate to pick up the vehicle and begin crushing it in between its slimy limbs. Stephen began deconstructing the parts of the bus, while Tony flew into the air and fired at the tentacles holding the bus to make the monster drop it. The cloak placed a comm into his ear and Tony’s voice came through. 

Tony managed to shoot off one arm, and Stephen used the components of the bus to slice through the other. The tentacles landed in a heap, barely missing Tony by a smidge. “Woah there doc! I’m no use to you as a pancake.”

“You’re fine.” he noticed the girl dangling from a pole in the bus just then, and yelled at Tony. “The kid, in the bus, get her!” 

Tony didn’t answer as he flew directly in the bus, and held the girl in his arms. He flew her back and landed behind the wizard. Stephen turned to catch a good look at her, but she screamed, “LOOK OUT!”

Both superheroes turned to find the monster hurling another bus at them. Stephen didn’t hesitate, he conjured a swirling blade, and chopped the bus in half, with both Tony and the child hidden behind him. 

“Alright,” Tony said. “I’m over this. Let’s finish this Doctor.”

“Gladly.” Tony fired up into the sky with his repulsors, and Stephen turned to the kid. He frowned, “Do I know you?” He wondered.

But before she could answer, a giant tentacle of the monster struck his body and sent him flying through the windows of a bodega. Stephen immediately astral projected out of his body, just as Tony called out his name with desperation, “STEPHEN!” 

Stephen cocked his head in his astral form as he saw Tony’s repulsors fire up a thousand times brighter, becoming a fiery red rather than an electric orange. Tony screamed as he fired into the monster's eye, temporarily and effectively blinding it. 

He then picked the girl up and brought her to another opening portal. One that revealed Wong. “Keep an eye on her! That thing’s after her.” Then he was blasting towards where Stephen was lying. “Stephen! Hey, hey, buddy you gotta wake up.” Stephen took note of how Tony was closing up the cut on his cheek with his nanoparticles. The dulling of the pain was significant enough for him to be able to return to his body without the lull of unconsciousness pulling him under. 

But he waited and watched in astounded silence as Tony let the nanoparticles drawback from his hand and face. He pulled off a glove from his non-scarred hand and slowly ran it along the side of Stephen’s face. “C’mon Stephanie, wake up.” he caressed Stepehn’s cheekbone, face inches away from his lips. 

Stephen chose that time to return to his body, surging forward and almost capturing Tony’s lips in his. 

Almost. 

He stopped himself just before and Tony instinctively moved back. Stephen breathed rapidly, and Tony reformed the particles over his face. For a moment as he stood, he simply assessed Stephen with his arm outstretched as if he was going to hug him. But then he turned his wrist to instead offer Stephen a hand to pick him up. Stephen gladly took it, and could only barely appreciate how Tony was so gentle with him given his scars, even in the heat of the moment. 

Just like all the times, they spent together in his dreams. 

Stephen shook his head of those thoughts as he stood up. Tony’s smirk could be heard from under the mask. “You live to pull another bunny trick Doc.”

Stephen let the cloak settle on his back, and ran atop a New York taxi to where the battle was still raging. He looked around agitated trying to find the girl, but the cloak patted his cheek and pointed up at a building. The girl was standing on a stone ledge, far away from the destruction. Stephen only had a second to feel relieved as the monster seemed to catch on. Only then did Stephen notice Wong in the monster’s crushing hold, and he saw red. 

He summoned a Balthakk Morning Star and flung it without a second thought at the creature’s tentacle, slicing it clean off. Wong landed perfectly on the concrete and dusted himself off.

“You’re welcome,” Stephen said, nonchalantly. The creature wasn’t deterred by Stephen’s offense. Instead, it was already making its way toward the child. Stephen turned to call for Iron Man but already found him zooming past to protect the girl, blasting off another one of the tentacles of the monster on his way, sending it tumbling slightly. 

Wong almost rolled his eyes. “You know it's customary to bow to the Sorcerer Supreme in their presence.”

“Oh, I am aware,” he said as they both summoned the Chains of Krakkan to bind the monster. But it was strong and they underestimated that. It pulled them along with it on its journey to the girl. 

Stark's voice booming, “Gee, you guys sure are bright,” did nothing for Stephen’s ego. He felt embarrassment crawl down his spine.

Wong groaned as he fell down through a quickly conjured portal and Stephen followed suit, only his was because he banged against a pole. The cloak pulled it away from it a little too late and he turned to it in annoyance, “Thank you for that.” he let go of the chain. He floated up towards the girl, and above the creature, not bothering with any theatrics this time. He opened a portal to where Wong stood and pushed the girl in, before closing it up. Then he floated and performed the necessary hand gestures to summon a pair of demonic hands. He uprooted a streetlamp, which he unceremoniously fired at the creature, right at the center of its eye, but the shaking in his hand made his trajectory fail, and it looked like it wasn’t going to work. 

But suddenly a blast from the right redirected the lance and shot it forcefully through the monster’s eye. Stephen didn’t waste any time. He tugged his hands backwards, pulling the lamp out of its head. with a sickening pop, its eye followed.    

“Whoa! Gross, okay. Remind me to never take you to get tapas.” Tony said as he landed next to him.

Before Stephen could stop himself, he said “If you’re gonna take me out Tony, I expect Indian.” He almost smacked his lips for letting that slip. But Tony settled next to him and let his faceplate peel off. The blush painting his cheeks was something Stephen was incredibly familiar with, and he couldn’t help but fall back into memories of them in sinful acts. 

No Stephen. Focus. This is not about you right now. 

Stephen mentally shook himself all over and opened a portal to the park, where Wong was interrogating the child. She had her arms crossed with a petulant pout, clearly refusing to give Wong any answers. But when she saw Stephen, her arms fell loose and her expression morphed into one of wonder. 

“Hey kid, why was that thing after you?”

 Tony propped up with another question, “Uh, where are your parents?”

“I-”

“We must first take her to Kamar Taj. We’ll be able to protect her from any more threats there.” Wong supplied. 

“No! I’m not going anywhere!” The child made an attempt to run for it, but Stephen held onto her arm. 

Tony tried to remedy the situation. “How about we go get you some food, kid.” She seemed like she was going to agree, so Stephen loosened his grip. But in the next moment, she was running. 

“She took my Slingie.” Stephen deadpanned. 

“She took your Slingie.” Wong echoed. 

There was a moment of silence before Tony laughed behind them. “Pfft. you call it a Slingie?”

Stephen managed to get the girl with the help of Wong’s Slingie, only after giving Stark the stink eye. 

“C’mon kid, we’re not gonna kill you. I just bust my ass tryna save your life remember?” The girl handed over the Slingie.  “Giant monsters I can clearly handle, but what bothers me is that last night,” Stephen quirked an eyebrow. “You were in my dream.”

She still seemed reluctant. “I’m not gonna hurt you kid.” Stephen tried once more. 

The girl looked broken. An expression too worn and brittle for her age taking over. “That’s what the other you said.” Those words took all three adults by surprise. The two sorcerer’s shared a look.

Tony let his armour fall away to come and stand before the girl, she seemed to relax. “Hey, what’s your name kid?”

“America. America Chavez.” America quickly clung to Tony’s sleeve and the two superheroes shared a look. 

“C’mon America. Let’s get you some food and we can talk. We’ll keep you safe.” She still seemed scared, but it looked like Tony’s presence helped her infinitesimally. 

They walked to a nearby cafe, ignoring the curious looks of strangers. Even Tony didn’t stop to take pictures like he normally would, clearly because he found it more important to stay in the child’s hold. She had her arms wrapped around his forearm. 

Once they were seated, and America had food before her, that which she was gobbling up like a starved child, for all Stephen knew, she could be, they decided it was time to talk. 

But she beat them to the punch. “I’m from another universe.” The table of superheroes all froze, taking her nonchalance.  Now with some food in her, America seemed to be perfectly fine. She dropped her bagel and propped her hands up. “How much experience do you guys have with the Multiverse?”

Stephen nodded, “There was an incident recently with a certain Spider-Man.” Both Stephen and Tony felt a pang in their hearts, wincing slightly at some unknown pain that overwhelmed them. 

“Hmm, what man?”

“Spider-man. He has the powers of a spider.”

Wong added, “Hence the name.”

“Does he look like a Spider?”

“No, no, more like a man.”

Tony shrugged. “Climbs walls, shoots webs,” 

The girl looked disgusted, “Out of his butt!?”

“No.” Wong ewed, and Stephen had to pause for a moment. “No, maybe, I don’t know. Honestly, I hope not.”

“Super weird,” she said, before stuffing her face with two pizza slices at once. Stephen saw Tony do the same, and the girl and he shared an amused look. 

Stephen sighed, “You’re gonna get a stomach ache.” 

The girl raised her chin cheekily. “I’m from a different universe. How do you know my stomach works the same as yours?” He heard Tony snort and try to cover it up behind his drink. 

“I don’t. I don’t even know if you’re really from another universe. Which is why I’m still sitting here waiting for you to enlighten us.”

The child began to speak in Spanish. Stephen quickly cast a translation spell. “...out of both the Doctor Strange’s I’ve met, you’re not my favourite.” Tony muffled another laugh, and Stephen decided to play along. 

“What? What is she saying?”

The girl was taken aback, “He doesn’t speak Spanish?”

Tony took the opportunity to answer. “He barely likes to communicate in English.” They shared a laugh along with Wong and Stephen eyed his fellow sorcerer with betrayal. 

“Look, I left a very good wedding to deal with this.”

Tony looked confused, “Whose wedding?” 

“Christine’s.” 

Wong looked shocked. “You went?” Which took Stephen by surprise, because that was a lot of emotion out of Wong. 

“Holy shit you married Christine? Did not see that one coming.”

“Yes, I went,” he turned to America, “No, I didn’t and  what do you mean you didn’t see that one coming?”

America took another bite of her pizza, and with a stuffed face she pointed the chewed off end of the pizza at Tony and then at him, “From the universe that I just came from, you both were married.” Both sorcerer and Avenger blushed furiously, and America could see that she’d opened a can of worms. “Oh, I’m guessing that’s not the case here huh?”

“No. We’re not married.” 

America didn’t seem to catch the hint. “Why not? You make a good couple.” 

It was only then that Stephen noticed how close Tony and he were seated, with their knees touching, and he made a conscious effort to pull back and adjust his chair. Tony answered this time. “We’re not a couple kid.”

Finally, America seemed to catch on. “Oh,” she deflated. “My bad I guess.”

Stephen grew frustrated with his embarrassment, so he redirected the line of questioning. “Tell me America, why was that one-eyed octopus trying to eat you?”

“It was trying to kidnap me.” America was sober again, and the mood of the table dropped like a rock. “It’s like a henchman that works for a demon. All we knew is that it was trying to take my power for themselves.”

“What power?” Tony asked. 

America looked a bit cocky but reticent. She caught Tony’s eye and then replied, “I can travel the Multiverse.”

“What?”

“You can physically move from one universe to another?” Wong seemed just as intrigued as him. 

The girl hummed. Tony eyed her with suspicion. “How?”

“That’s the problem, I don’t know-how. Can’t control it. It only happens when I’m really, really afraid.” she put down her pizza, and Stephen kept a sharp eye on her. 

“Okay. Okay, and did the other me know how to defeat this demon?”

Well, you just knew of this magical book, that could give the sorcerer whatever they needed to overcome evil.”

Both Wong and Stephen said at the same time, “The Book of Vishanti.” Stephen found the thought incredulous. He shook his head. “That’s not real, it’s a fairy tale, it doesn't exist.”

Wong piped up, “Actually it does. You find out in the secret book you get when you become Sorcerer Supreme.”

Stephen’s lips drew into a thin line. “Unbelievable.”

“You’re not the Sorcerer Supreme?”

“No, I. Am. Not.” Stephen was starting to grow tired of Wong’s subtle flex.

“Other you was the Sorcerer Supreme of his universe.”

Wong grew serious once more. “The Book of Vishanti is said to be unreachable.”

“It is. Except, we did reach it. But then,” Now the child grew reticent once more. She peeked from under her lashes as she drew away from Stephen and caved into her shoulders. “The demon caught up with us. You were supposed to protect me…you didn’t.”

“That was the fight in my dream.”

“That wasn’t a dream.” The girl spoke with a determination that held many more secrets to come. 

Stephen narrowed his eyes. “Prove it.”

“Alright, lemme just finish my pizza.”

Stephen sighed and stood to gather his thoughts as Wong watched over the child. Tony stood up with him and he gave Stephen one look before they both made their way out together. 

“So,” he said as they both leaned against a brick wall. “This is a normal day for a sorcerer huh?”

“Well, this is rather high up on the scale of weird for me even.”

“Oh good. I was beginning to think you were too calm back there. It’s nice to know this isn’t a common occurrence.” Tony wiped some imaginary sweat off his brow and Stephen laughed. 

“What do you mean? I fuck with the Multiverse every day for breakfast.”

“Yeah, I bet.” a third voice piped up. Immediately Stephen had his shields up and Tony had his suit form over his body. They faced the source of the voice, only to find a man in a red and blue suit dangling from a web. 

“Spider-man?”

Spider-man fell from his web and landed on his feet. He had a spring to him that could only be seen in young superheroes. “What’s up Doc? Hey Mr Stark.” 

Once again Stephen felt a deep ache in his heart in the presence of this man. One that he couldn’t explain. He knew he had helped Spider-man deal with multiple incursions from his debacle with the multiverse, but since then, he had been avoiding the young hero like the plague. Possibly because, every time he even thought of him, his heart ached like it was calling out for something. Something lost. Something precious. 

“Kid, what’re you doing here?”

Spider-man’s mask showed his annoyance clearly, and Stephen marveled at how expressive it was. “I’m not a kid!”

“Tell that to puberty. It seems to have forgotten you.” Tony teased, and Spider-man crossed his arms, in a very child-like manner. 

“What can we do for you today Spider-man?”

The web-slinger corrected his posture once more, and an air of maturity so telling of someone who had faced multiple atrocities took over him. It was uncanny to see the change, how the man went from a youthful child behind a mask to a seasoned warrior in a matter of seconds. 

“I saw the fight. Was wondering if I should step in, but I took up clearing the perimeter instead.”

“You made the right call,” Tony said as he let the suit fall away. “You can ease up on us kid, maybe take off the mask?” Tony’s bait didn’t seem to work. It, in fact, had the opposite intended effect, as the young hero’s eye mask grew wide, and he backflipped onto the top of a dumpster, setting distance between him and the older heroes. 

Tony raised his hands in a placating manner. “Or not. Your choice, but you should know, we’re all friends here.”

The spider’s voice cracked behind the mask. “Yeah-yeah, no. I’m just comfortable like this.”

“Alright. Respect that.” Stephen could tell there was some desperation in Tony’s voice, and he couldn’t help but empathize with it as he too felt the desperate need to know the man behind the mask. 

Just then America and Wong came out. America took one look at Spider-man and shrieked, “AH! It’s the Spider-butt.”

“Spider-wha..”

“Spider-man,” Stephen corrected. “Miss Chavez, are you done? We have matters to attend to.”

“Yeah, yeah. Can you portal us to the rooftop of Madison Avenue, 33rd Street rooftop of Paul’s Bar.” The adults all gave the kid a look. “What!? We just landed there. I didn’t choose it!”

Stephen shook his head and created the portal. Wong and America walked through and then Spider-man’s voice piped up. “Yeah, I’m coming with you.”

Stephen raised his hand to indicate stop. “Absolutely not young man. You’re gonna stay here where it's safe.” Tony’s frantic voice came out roughly, and both adults froze. 

Spider-man’s shoulders had raised well past his ears, and he looked positively scolded. But he looked up and shook himself, cleared his throat and said. “Yeah, no Mr Stark. This is my city and this is my fight too. I’m involved, whether you like it or not. And you don’t get a say in the matter. It’s Doctor Strange’s call.”

Stephen was still caught up in wondering why this sudden protective urge took over him. One that he had felt forming over America. The tone of Stark’s voice was the same as when he was tending to Stephen earlier, and it led the doctor to wonder what could possibly have happened between them to elicit such a response. He didn’t like not knowing the answer and figured if he wanted any, he should keep the young hero close. He caught Tony’s eye, which seemed to oscillate between perplexity and concern.

“You can come Spider-man. You’re every part a hero as we are.”

Spider-man’s relief bespoke volumes and he hopped off the dumpster and strode through the portal. Stephen motioned for Tony to go through, and he followed. 

America and Wong were standing around a gray tarp. Stephen could clearly see a hand sticking out from under it, and without much ado, he squatted down and pulled the tarp aside. Only to reveal himself. With long hair, and nasty gashes across his face. The other version of himself was positively, irrevocably dead. 

Tony gasped and came forward. He knelt down and his hand hovered over the dead Stephen’s face. Stephen didn’t have time to register the emotions flitting across TOny’s face as he came to a realization. “It’s real.”

Wong prompted, “That means…”

“Dreams are windows into the lives of our Multiversal selves,” Stephen spoke with wonder, and he looked at America, who had turned her back to them. 

She was watching them over her shoulder. “That was his theory too.”

 Spider-man looked disturbed, and then he raised his hand. “So, that recurring nightmare where I’m running naked from a clown…” Stephen raised an eyebrow. 

America answered with a snort, “Somewhere out there.”

Stephen echoed, “Somewhere out there I had a ponytail.” Spider-man began rattling off equations and theories regarding the multiverse in a very hyped way.

 Normally Tony and Stephen would be taken by the intellectual conversation, but this time all Stephen could do was eye Tony as he touched the gash on other Stephen’s face. In a voice barely above a whisper he said, “Somewhere out there, we were married.”

“Stephen, there could be more creatures coming for her.”

Stephen’s heart panged, and he turned away before Tony caught him staring.  They all stood up to find Spider-man and America in a heated discussion. Stephen spoke his next words intended for the adults-only, “These powers are dangerous enough in the hands of a kid, imagine what they would do in the hands of someone powerful.” he looked back up to find America staring at him in horror, backing away slowly. 

Tony could see where the situation was going. He quickly stepped forward and spoke with a trademark flourish. “Alright, well I’m parched and the stench of the dead man in this heat isn’t doing me any favours. Say, Miss Chavez, in your universe, did you ever visit the Stark tower?”

America’s attention seemed to be reeling in, “No, I haven’t.”

“Well, we’ve got a chef who makes the best pizzas ever in a matter of minutes. Why don’t we stop by for a bit, freshen up? We can protect you there.”

America looked to her feet, and then eyed Tony halfway, “Can he make them greasy?”

Tony placed a hand on his chest in mock disbelief, “Um, duh. Like I’d pick something healthy. We’ve got the greasiest pizzas on Earth, kid.”

America’s eyes twinkled with child-like joy, and she and Spider-man went back to happily discussing after she nodded. Tony let out a barely noticeable exhale and turned back to Stephen with a pointed look. The doctor shrugged and Tony shook his head. 

“What’re we gonna do with him?” Wong asked instead, cocking his head at the body.  Stephen quirked his lips and then performed a spell that pulled apart the tiling of the roof. He floated the body and placed it underneath. Closing it up. 

“That’s gotta violate an ordinance,” Tony said. 

“Well, I’ve buried worse.” Tony placed a hand under his chin. “The creature that killed him,” he turned to America. “Did it have the same magical marks on it as the octopus?”

Wong and Stephen shared a look. “Runes,” Stephen said.

Both sorcerers were coming to a scary realization. “This isn’t sorcery…” Wong prompted. 

“It’s witchcraft.” Stephen supplied. 

Both the kids had their attention on them again. Spider-man spoke up. “Do we know anyone who’s faced such a thing?”

Stephen frowned sullenly. “I think I might.”

Stephen knew who he had to approach but Tony did not. Wong decided to move things along as he turned to Tony, “Mr Stark, which floor should I open the portal to?”

“The 63rd. And who do we know that’s dealt with this?”

Stephen gave Tony a calculating look. “Wanda Maximoff.” 

Tony’s entire demeanor changed from curious to downright terrified in a matter of seconds. Stephen wanted to bite his tongue for answering him. 

“Stephen, don’t go to her.”

“Tony, she’s the only one amongst us who has any actual experience with witchcraft.” Stephen made to move through the portal that the kids had already walked through, but Tony held his arm. 

“No, Stephen, please listen to me. I know what happened at Westview. She enslaved an entire town, Stephen. She’s gone insane in her grief…” Stephen shook his hand off Tony’s grip. 

He came face to face with Tony and hissed, “You don’t know what people may do in the face of grief. What will they turn to?” Stephen was referring to his accident, and the decision he had made during the battle of Thanos. But as soon as he uttered his words, he realized his mistake. 

Tony’s pleading expression grew firm and angry at his words. He laughed disbelievingly. “Me? I don’t know what extent people turn to in grief?” Stephen fumbled for an answer, knowing he had dug himself a dangerous hole. “Tell me, doctor, how much grief did I have to face when I lost everything?” 

Stephen’s heart shattered with the raw pain in Tony’s voice as they stood in the middle of the portal. Stephen turned his face away and Tony growled. “Look at me! Tell me,” Tony’s voice broke, and he fell back into the state of a weary man, “tell me…was it really the only way?”

Stephen shook, his entire body burdened by the weight of his decision. He swallowed, “It was the only way, Tony. I-” Stephen was about to say he promised, but he would be lying, so instead, he said, “I’m sorry.”

They shared an intense look, both being crushed under the weight of what Stephen had said. Eventually, Tony shook his head and looked away. He let go of Stephen’s arm and bumped into his shoulder harshly as he walked through the portal. 

Stephen closed his eyes, willing his tears to fall back before he walked through and closed the portal. 

Spider-man and America were already deciding their orders of pizza over the holographic screen, and Tony slid into a seat, starting the coffee machine for himself. Wong placed a tentative hand on Stephen’s shoulder. 

“After they have recuperated, I will take them to Kamar-Taj. Come back quick Stephen.”

“I will.” Stephen sighed, and he allowed himself one last glance at Tony. The older man had taken off his gloves and the metal arm glinted in the lights of the tower. He turned away and allowed the cloak to pull him to the sky towards the Sanctum. 

Stephen was a good man. Which is why he would never even dream of making a move on Tony. And he had just been reminded of one of the numerous reasons why. 

The war with Thanos was bloody and gruesome in every aspect. After the events of Titan, Stephen had seen Tony return to earth the shell of a man he once was. But where in one universe he would have given up and settled into a simple life with Pepper, this time, he threw himself into saving…someone. Stephen couldn’t figure out who. Or rather, he couldn’t remember. 

Which was peculiar because Stephen remembered everything. He knew right then and there that it must have something to do with Spider-man. Because the last recorded memory spell was performed for him, by Stephen. What the young superhero needed to be forgotten was beyond him, but it did keep Stephen up some nights, a worm of pain burrowing its way to his heart. 

But Tony. Tony was in anguish. Tony needed to save this person like he needed to breathe air. And somehow he managed to do in two years what would have taken him five. Inventing time travel after figuring out the quantum realm all on his own. Stephen was impressed when he viewed that timeline. But he soon despaired when he saw what the future held. 

Dr. Hulk snapped his fingers, bringing back the population that had perished, but Thanos still haunted them as he came from his past to haunt their future. 

Tony…Tony fought bravely. He managed to get the stones off of Thanos and was about to snap his fingers, when his friend and enemy, Captain America, no, Steve Rogers, snatched the gauntlet, and snapped his fingers instead,  turning both Thanos, his army and Tony’s heart into dust. 

Stephen remembered the screams. The cries of horror and pain as Tony stared at the shriveled body of his best friend. He clung to Stephen begging him to use the time stone, his magic, anything to revive him. But he was already gone, and all Stephen could give Tony was, “It was the only way.”

But all Tony could do was cry out, “It was supposed to be me. It was supposed to be me.”

Tony couldn’t stop blaming himself for his friend’s death. It was a bittersweet loss, but Captain Rogers went out a soldier and a hero, and they couldn’t regret that decision.Soon Tony came to terms with it, but the trauma and remembrance of those two years, where Tony had lost the most important piece of his soul was enough to shatter him. To acclimatize him so well with grief, that they could pass off as one and the same. 

Then came Spider-man. Stephen didn’t remember what the whole debacle was, only that Tony Stark and him were involved. Something had gone down, and no matter how much they grilled the young superhero to tell them, he never budged. 

Stephen remembered one fine day, when they were sitting and sharing a conversation over a cup of coffee and tea. Tony had cracked a joke, the first one he had in Stephen’s presence in months. Forgiveness seemed to bleed into his words, but with it came a bitter question. 

“Was it really the only way? Tell me, was it worth it?”

And Stephen thought of the multiple realities where Tony Stark died. Where he protected and cared for Stephen, and held onto the dying sorcerer. Gave his last breath defending him, choosing him, over and over and over again. 

Stephen bowed his head in shame. It was a secret he would take to his grave, but no. It wasn’t the only way. There were at least five other realities where they won. At Least one where the casualties were minimum. But in those cases Tony Stark never made it out alive. And Stephen…

Stephen was a selfish man before he was a good one. He hated himself, and he’d rather not admit it. He loved the man. He loved Tony Stark, and the thought of him dying did not bode well with him. So he chose the one where they won, and where he lived, regardless of who they lost instead. 

Stephen was ashamed of his decision. But he didn’t regret it. He could repent though, and so he never allowed himself to entertain the idea or notion of pursuing Tony Stark. Tony developed a new arm for the one that had been poisoned by the few seconds he held onto the gauntlet, and then he created a version of extremis that managed to heal him faster and even slow down his aging process. 

He looked younger, stronger. He was thriving, and Stephen couldn’t regret his decision if it meant this was what Tony became. A happy, healthy man. After the events with Spider-man, Stephen and Tony had both lost a part of themselves they couldn’t even name. They discussed over coffee and lunch how much they yearned for something, someone. But they couldn’t figure out what it was. 

Stephen attributed it to the loss of the presence of the time stone. And Tony to Steve. 

But it was both wrong and they knew it. 

Stephen was pulled out of his thoughts by his arrival at Wanda’s sanctuary. He floated above it and watched as rows and rows of trees dotted the view. And amongst them as a tinny pin prick was Wanda. 

But something was off. There was magic crackling in the air. Normally Stephen would attribute it to her overwhelming power. Wanda was the most powerful being on their planet as of the moment. But there was something else afoot. Something sinister that Stephen couldn’t place. 

Honestly,the amount of uncertainty in his life right now was not appreciated. Stephen was a man who was used to being in control of every aspect of his life. With a start he realized that that was what Christine had meant. 

Maybe in a way, these new developments were good. All he had to do was enlist Wanda’s help in identifying the creature and they would be back on track. 

Stephen walked up to Wanda and spoke with a strong and steady voice, even though he suddenly felt anything but. “Apples right?”

Wanda turned. She looked paler, and her eyes were slightly sunken, but there was an air of health that glowed around her as well. The two contrasting signals were putting Stephen off, but he maintained his carefully crafted demeanor. 

“Eventually, yes.”

Something was off. Stephen needed to tread lightly. Wanda handed Stephen a branch and he smelt it. “Smells…”

“Sweet.” she spoke saccharinely. 

“I was going to say real.” Stephen baited. 

“Oh it’s very real, thanks. I put the magic behind me.”

“So I see.” Stephen smiled at Wanda, but couldn’t help raise his eyebrows at her statement. 

Wanda sensed his doubt. “I knew sooner or later you’d come find me.” She put her arms in her pockets and drew her lips into a thin, apologetic smile. “Listen, about Westview-” Stephen corrected his stance, his eyes never wavering from hers. “I made mistakes, and people were hurt-”

“But you put things right in the end and that was never in doubt.” Stephen needed to believe that Wanda was a good person, even if the energy he was currently getting from this place was bordering on something dark, something vicious. Like a poison flower.  “I’m not here to talk about Westview.”

“Then what are you here for?” 

“We need your help.”

Wanda began to walk,and Stephen followed. “With what?”

Stephen spoke, almost on auto-pilot as his brain worked in overdrive to take in small details. He joked and laughed and kept his tone light, but he noticed things. He couldn’t see past the orchard, even though he had clearly flown above flat ground there. He couldn’t portal into Wanda’s territory, something had barricaded him. But worst of all, Wanda’s accent. 

It was American. None of the Sokovian lilt that she normally had. 

“Could use an Avenger.”

“There are other Avengers.”

Stephen joked, his heart racing a bit, his senses telling him something was coming. He had to maintain his facade. “Well, given the choices between an archer with a mohawk and several bug themed heroes, or the greatest magic wielder of all time…”

Stephen smiled, and spoke words he no longer wanted to bring to fruition. “Come to Kamar-Taj. I’ll get you back on the lunchbox.”

Wanda laughed, and Stephen almost felt okay. Like it was all in his head. 

“What if you brought America here?”

Stephen stopped walking abruptly. And Wanda froze a step ahead of him. Stephen sighed, sorrow taking over his being. He felt an acute sense of loss. 

“You never told me her name did you?”

“No,” he answered promptly. “No, I didn’t.”

Wanda took a deep breath, and then cocked her head back. “You know the hex was the easy part.” her voice fell to a dangerous octave. “The lying…not so much.”

 She waved her hands above her, and the entire scenery morphed into one of spooling, red, demonic carnage. Pure, unadulterated evil dripped from every edge of singed and dead ground. Stephen looked around, and then back front only to find the DarkHold floating next to Wanda. 

“The DarkHold.”

“You’re familiar with the DarkHold?” Ah, there it was. Her Sokovian accent. 

“I know that it’s the book of the damned. And that it corrupts everything and everyone that it touches.” Stephen took a good look at Wanda, his eyes finding her sunken ones to be deeper, and her face to be more sullen. She looked sick. Like life was being drained out of her. 

“I wonder what it’s done to you.”

Wanda looked confused with an almost innocent manner. “The DarkHold only showed me the truth. Everything I lost, can be mine again.”

“What do you want with America? What do you want with the Multiverse?”

Wanda smiled like the answer was simple and cute. “I’m going to leave this reality, and go to one where I can be with my children.”

Stephen couldn’t take the delusion anymore. “Wanda, your children aren’t real. You created them using magic.”

Wanda shrugged. “That’s what every mother does.” She smiled, and began to pace around him, like a predator. “If you knew ,that there was a universe, where you were happy…” her voice broke in the next sentence, and Stephen almost empathized with her. “Wouldn’t you want to go there?”

“I am happy.” Stephen felt the words flow out of him like water flowing down a stream. Yet it felt polluted, and Wanda smirked victoriously. 

“I know better than most what self-deception looks like.” she bobbed her head from side to side, smiling mischievously. Like it was all so simple, so easy, so light. 

“What you’re doing is flagrant violation of every natural law,” Stephen tried another desperate route. “And if you take that child’s power, she won’t survive.”

Wanda looked bored with Stephen's words. “I don’t relish hurting anyone Stephen.” then she shook her head and huffed, “But she’s not a child. She’s a supernatural entity with raw power that honestly, wreaks havoc on this and other worlds. Her sacrifice…” Wanda took a deep breath, with her eyebrows raised, and set her head firmly. “Well, it would be for the greater good.” she said, nodding, as if the act of killing a child was the noble thing to do. 

“Well you can kiss the lunchbox goodbye because that’s the kind of justification our enemies use.” Stephen seethed, trying his damnedest to make her see the truth. 

“Is it the one you used? When you gave Thanos the time stone?” She came forward and stood incredibly close to Stephen’s face, not flinching a bit. Sme smiled softly, feeling like she’d won. 

“That was a war and I did what I had to do.”

Wanda’s gaze turned menacing. “You did what you wanted to do. You made the selfish decision Stephen.” Stephen stepped back, shocked by her words. And she just surged forward. “Does he know? Does he know that the loss of his dear ones was all because of you? Because you fell in love and were too scared to let him go?” She postured herself once more, schooling her expression. “Stephen, if you give her to me, I’ll give you anything you want. You can have the life you’ve always wanted. You can be happy.”

“I will not break the natural order.”

“But you already did. With Dormammu,” Stephen blanched at the fact that she knew that. “With Thanos, with Spider-man.” She hissed. “You break the rules and become a hero, I do it and I become the enemy.” She tilted her head. “That doesn’t seem fair.”

“What happens now?” Stephen was prepared to fight her if he had to. Somewhere in the back of his mind he regretted ending things with Tony on such a wrong foot. 

“Now, you return to Kamar-taj, and prepare to hand over America Chavez…Peacefully. And then,” she let her head loll to one side like a child making a wish, “ You’ll never have to hear from me again.” 

She began to walk away, keeping the DarkHold floating close to her. 

Stephen called out. “And if we don’t.”

Wanda paused in her movement. And when she turned, her eyes no longer held any mirth or laughter, or the maniacal glee she was producing earlier. This time it was cruel and detached. “Then it won’t be Wanda who comes for her, it’ll be the Scarlet Witch.”

Stephen watched her walk away, and he let his beating heart race. He should have listened to Tony, he should have known.he should have looked deeper into the events of Westview, he should have- he should have- 

He quickly let the cloak float him away from the wasteland, and portalled himself to Kamar-Taj. He was greeted by America and Spider-man, both who came bouncing towards him. 

“Stephen!”

“Doctor Strange!”

“Stephen, your Kamar-Taj looks way different than the previous one.”

“Mr. Strange, Mr. Strange, this place is awesome Mr. Strange. They have so many artifacts that can kill you, and there’s a room that’s full of carnivorous chairs.” Stephen was about to say something when he pulled his head back. 

“I didn’t know that actually.”

“Stephen.” A breathless voice came, and Stephen felt relief rush through his bones, warming the pins in his hands that he didn’t even know were freezing. Tony came into his view, still wearing the attire from earlier, but with a different pair of shades this time. The older man didn’t hesitate as he surged ahead and hugged Stephen. Stephen knew that Tony was afraid of Wanda, even if he had made peace with her at Captain Rogers’ funeral. 

And Tony had good reason to be. Stephen allowed himself two seconds to melt into Tony’s embrace, before he extricated himself.They stood apart awkwardly. “I’m glad you’re back Doc.”

“Yeah. But I come bearing grave tidings.” 

“Damn, it’s like Thor 2.0.” Tony mumbled. 

“I’ll take that as the complement that is.”

Stephen sobered up and turned to Wong. “What do you know about the Scarlet Witch Wong?”

“The Scarlet Witch?” Wong’s expression morphed into one of fear. “That’s a myth.”

“It’s a myth no more.  What we knew as Wanda is no more. She’s been consumed by the DarkHold, by the Scarlet Witch.”

Wong turned to his subordinates within the Holy grounds. “The Scarlet Witch is a being of unfathomable power. She can rewrite reality as she chooses, and is prophesied to either rule, or annihilate the cosmos.”

Stephen continued, “She took over an entire town using only her mind. If she gets America’s power, she could enslave the entire Multiverse.”

America narrowed her eyes with her arms crossed. She pinched her two fingers together and pointed at Stephen. “So the person who you went to for help, and told exactly where i am, is the person that’s tryna kill me?”

Well when she put it that way. Tony spoke this time. “Nothing’s gonna happen to you kid. We’ll make sure of it.”

Wong fell into action. He started firing battle orders all round. “Amr the students. Kamar-Taj must now become a fortress.”

Battle bells and ritualistic drums played as they all rushed about preparing for what was to come. Stephen himself stood, mentally going over his spells, trying to figure out what he could use against the witch. He needed a rock solid game plan. 

“Wanda-” Tony’s voice came next to him. He was fully suited up with only his head showing. Behind him, Spider-man was calming America down as they were both directed to the inner chambers. “The Scarlet Witch,” TOny let out a dejected huff. “She can rewrite reality right?”

“Yes. She wields chaos magic unlike any master we have ever seen in our past.”

“But what if we made it impossible for her to escape her own creation?”

Stephen turned to face Tony fully, furrowing his eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

 “I mean Doc, there must be some spell in that fancy menagerie of yours that can trap someone within their own dimensions. Like some horcrux type of shit. Trap a bit of her in a shoe, a rock, a mirror…”

“A MIRROR!” Stephen came forward and held Tony’s head, kissing his forehead for his brilliance. As soon as he did it, he froze, too stunned by his actions to proceed. Both men simply stared at each other. 

“Um,uh ...sorry about that.”

“I mean Doc, your aim’s kinda shitty but we all have our days.” Tony shrugged and pursed his lips. Stephen didn’t know what to make of that.  He realized he was still holding onto Tony’s head, and let go quickly. 

“The mirror dimension. I’m pretty sure I could modify it to create a reflective surface.”

“Isn’t that what mirrors normally are?”

“No, well yes. But you see, the mirror dimension is a direct copy of ours except nothing that happens in there can affect our world. Dark magic thrives there, and I suspect so does chaos magic.”

“Don’t see how it’s a solution then.”

“If I could modify the spell to reflect only her brand of chaos magic, and then fully encapsulate her within its chambers, she would have no way of escaping. She would essentially be trapped forever by her own reflections.” Stephen almost shook with the excitement of the potential of that power. 

Tony eyed him skeptically. “Do you think you can pull it off?”

Stephen smirked. “Don’t tell me you’re doubting me now?”

Stephen rushed ahead with Tony right at his heel to conduct the necessary tasks. He gathered the rituals and the remaining chaos magic that had embedded itself into him and got to work. 

He floated the booby traps all over the place and prepared it to blow up as soon as it came into contact with her signature.

Tony seemed to wonder, “What if I put a forcefield around the traps? That way even if she does break out, she’s held back long enough for us to escape.” 

Stephen nodded. “That’ll work.” he watched as Tony Stark dismantled parts of his nanobot suit and created the machinery, programming it to perform the way he required, and he couldn’t help falling a little deeper for this man.

He thought back to Wanda’s words. A universe where they were happy? Did such a thing exist? Stephen remembered his dream, the one where a long haired version of him fell into loving embraces with Tony. Stephen knew now that it must be a Tony from another dimension, but he couldn’t help the deep sense of longing that came forth from his heart. 

Once they were ready, they waited. And waited.  Spider-man was down below, protecting America along with Master Hamir and some students. And Tony was on the far side, as a hidden wild card, keeping out of wanda’s sight. Stephen and Wong stood front and center, asan ashen cloud overtook the bright blue sky.

And then. Like two fiery orbs of pure power and chaos, she was revealed in a burst of red. Wong turned to Stephen. “Choose your words wisely. The fate of the Multiverse may very well depend on it.”

Stephen frowned, and nodded his head. “Got it. No pressure then.” Stephen allowed himself one glance at Tony. he was fully armored with his face plate on.But even then, the look he gave Stephen warmed him. 

Stephen took a deep breath to prepare himself and then floated up towards Wanda. Somehow she looked sicker than before. Darker, diseased. 

“All this for a child you just met?”

Stephen tried, “Wanda you are justifiably angry. You had to make terrible sacrifices.”

Wanda’s voice bellowed, “I blew a hole through the head of the man I loved, only to watch it all mean nothing,” She smiled in agony. “Only because you gave away the Time Stone.” She curled her lips. “Do not speak to me of sacrifice Stephen Strange, when you nothing of it.”

She tilted her head, and then floated towards him. She whispered, “If you give me what I want,” Her eyes fell towards Tony standing in the corner, battle ready. “I’ll send you to a world where you can be with Tony.”

The use of Tony’s name out of her mouth made Stephen’s come up in jagged bursts. He floated back, and let his cloak gesture towards the sorcerers below. “The full might of Kamar-Taj, stand against you.” he heard Wong prepare the soldiers, but all he could focus on was how the last remaining tinges of crystal blue in Wanda’s eyes clouded over with pain and darkness. 

“Do not dare,” he warned. “To enter these sacred grounds.”

“You have no idea just how reasonable I’ve been.” Wanda shook her head like Stephen was being a bratty child. 

“Yeah, book of the damned, calling yourself a witch,sending those creatures to kidnap a kid, I don't really see how that’s called being reasonable.”

Wanda tilted her head and raised her brows as she smiled slightly. “Sending those creatures after her instead of myself was mercy. And inspite of your hypocrisies and insults, I have begged you to simply safely get out of my way. You have exhausted my patience. But I do hope you understand,  that even now,” her voice dropped to a stage whisper, “What’s about to happen?” her lips trembled with the weight of unshed tears and sorrow, and pure seething rage, “This is me being reasonable.”

She fired at Stephen, but the man did not flinch. The shot met with the barrier formed around the grounds. Tony couldn’t take being down anymore and flew above to hover by Stephen’s side. His presence only seemed to agitate the witch more. 

“Stark.”

“Hey Wanda. Not looking too good there. Been getting any sun? No? I could recommend a doctor. Not this one, he’s off the books I’m afraid.” Tony’s robotic voice spoke without a tremor, but Stephen could hear the lilts of fear bleeding into it. 

“Your tongue, it was always a problem. When I’m through here, I’ll release you of it.”

“Now, now. That’s no way to talk to your father in law.”

Stephen held Tony’s arm, and directed him back to the ground as Wanda realized that the barrier was going to hold. Stephen tilted his head at Wanda, in a gesture that said, “I told you.” And floated back down. “Nailed it.” he said as he came to stand beside Wong and Tony. 

Wanda kept firing as the shields were reinforced, but then she simply stopped, and watched. Stephen knew immediately what was happening. He had spent many sessions with Tony discussing this particular power of hers. “She’s trying to get in their heads.”

“Sorcerers, fortify your minds.” Wong yelled. Tony audibly groaned next to him, and Stephen couldn’t help holding his hand and stroking the palm. 

But one broke, and with him the others as the shield slowly disintegrated. The canons were revealed, and immediately fired, hitting her square in the chest. But they did nothing but singe her, and she dismantled the entire thing and threw it at the other one. Stephen formed a shield and protected Wong and Tony from the debris. Wong yelled at the archers, “Fire at will.”

They did, but the situation was not looking good. That was when Tony went up, and Stephen screamed. “NO TONY!”

Tony created big stomper arms, and smashed into Wanda, sending her flying. Wanda almost rebounded to attack him once more, but multiple arrows along with a repulsor blast fired into her. She dealt with the arrows, simply swatting Tony away like a fly. Stephen flew to ihm and pulled him back as he called for the other sorcerers to fall back. 

Wanda was so distracted by her call for chaos that she allowed for Tony and Stephen to slip away, focusing more on destroying the structure before she realized what she was doing. 

Wanda landed petitely amongst the desolation and tread lightly. She closed her eyes and tried to sense America, but instead she was met by Stephen’s barrier. She opened her eyes, to find the Master standing before her.

“If you want the girl you’re gonna have to go through me.”

Wanda tilted her head and nodded loosely. “Fine,” One more step and she stepped right into Stephen’s booby trap.  Immediately her surroundings morphed and she was trapped in a room of mirrors. An eerie music box tune played, and Wanda braced herself as sharp shards of glass formed all around her.  Stephen watched through the all seeing eye spell he had cast as Wanda fired a shot of her magic. It bounced off every surface and fizzled out. He had her now. 

“This won’t hold Stephen.” 

“I know. We need to get America out of here. Tony, would you take her to New York?” Tony nodded, and Stephen tried to cast a portal, but red sparks bounced off his fingertips rather than orange. He gasped, and looked to the doors. They both closed on their own. Spider-man fell into a defensive position around America, and Tony stood guard before her. 

“What’s happening Stephen?”

Stephen listened carefully as minor hisses of magic flitted about. Then one of the students fell through an opening in the floor, as did Master Hamir,  and Stephen understood her game. “Reflections, she’s using the reflections.” They rushed to cover any and all reflective surfaces. Tony dismantled and covered up the nanobot housing unit. But then Stephen heard a scream from America as she quickly tried to scramble back from a hand that popped out of a golden gong. 

Bit by bit, parts of Wanda came out with sickening twists, and Wanda’s body cracked out. Her neck was wrought, and her hands were facing the wrong direction, but in a feat of uncanny power, she righted her broken bones like she was smoothing out paper. Her hair covered her face, and they stood with bated breath. Then she turned sharply.

“You gave all those lives just to keep me from my children.”

“You took those lives,” Stephen breathed out. “You cannot be allowed to cross into the multiverse.”

“I’m not a monster Stephen. I’m a mother.”

“Wanda you have no children. They don’t exist.”

“Oh but they do. In every other universe. I know they do, because I dream of them.” Wanda summoned the DarkHold and presented the different universes to them. Stephen could clearly see the joyous expression of the other Wanda as she played with her sons. “Every night the same dream, and every day…the same nightmare. And all I need to get to them…is her.” Her gaze fell on America, but then Tony moved in front of her. 

“Sorry, no can do party pooper.” Wanda growled, but Tony tried a different route. “We don’t trade lives Wanda. You know this.”

And that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Spider-man fell into action, shooting his webs and binding Wanda’s hand behind her as Tony let his suit reassemble. Stephen fired a spell that contained the serpentine heads of Medusa, but Wanda broke out of her binds and stopped them before they got to her. She fought them off, but Tony didn’t wait for her to finish. He and Wong simultaneously fired at Wanda, and she allowed herself to split into three versions of herself, taking each one on. She pushed Stephen and Wong to the side, and faced off one Tony Stark, standing before America like her last soldier. 

Stephen was helpless to watch as Wanda smiled cruelly and cast Tony aside, peeling off his housing unit. Tony magnetized a forcefield around his suit, even though he was within it and that helped the suit stay on his body. Wanda saw it as a lost cause and Stephen saw it as some hope, when Wanda chose not to kill Tony. 

It was short lived as she tossed him aside, and went for America. She began pulling her power out of her, and Tony clutched his side. Despite that he stood up, and caught Spider-man’s eye. Wanda saw them plotting, and let one hand go. A star-shaped hole opened up behind America, just as Wanda lifted Tony and Spider-man with her magic and began pulling their molecules apart. 

Stephen screamed with terror, and fired a random spell at Wanda. He ran for Tony and Spider-man, the dread taking over all his body. He took one glance at America, and then looked at Tony. The older man grasped what he was thinking about.

“No, Stephen!”

Stephen didn’t bother waiting. He pushed Tony and Spider-man through, fully intending to follow them,but instead Wanda held onto his cloak as the spell, one that was three demons eating her legs gruesomely, held her back. Stephen flung the cloth off her, and clung to America, and together, they fell through the dimensions.