Strange Happenings
Chapter One
Wanda Maximoff peered out of the motel window, face creased in a frown. Outside, the normal hustle and bustle of New Orleans carried on as usual, no-one out there realising that a magical battle had gone on not two hours ago, and that a life had been lost.
She shook her head slightly, recalling the events that had brought her into this situation. Having come to New Orleans to track down the powerful magical aura she'd sensed for the past few days that was somehow cloaked from her sight, she'd stumbled onto some of Dormammu's servants, stalking what had at first appeared to be a mother and adolescent daughter- until they actually attacked. Then, the woman had revealed herself to be Vesper, a Mhuruuk from the Dark Dimension, and the apparently human girl's 'aunt' and guardian. Wanda had forced down the flurry of questions that sprung to her mind about why such a being would be on Earth, instead joining in the battle to protect the young girl, who appeared to be the target of the assault.
More and more of Dormammu's minions had appeared, and eventually, the Mhuruuk woman had been injured. With a last burst of energy, she had flung the assailants away, then quickly, in a low tone, had insisted Wanda take the girl- Sofia- and flee, keeping the girl safe at all cost.
Sofia had protested, of course, not wanting to leave her 'aunt', but Vesper had chanted a spell, teleporting her and Wanda away, just as the next wave of creatures fell upon her. The last they saw, Vesper was losing the fight and had fallen to her knees. Then they were gone.
They had found themselves on the other side of the city, alone, and although Wanda's mind still whirled with questions, she kept her wits about her enough to cast a spell that would hide them from all seekers before hauling the girl to the nearest motel to regroup and plan. If the girl was in danger from Dormammu, then no chances could be taken. As for why Sofia was threatened by Dormammu...
Wanda had tried to question the nearly-hysterical girl, but it soon became clear she had no answers. Eventually, Wanda had cast a calming spell and urged the girl to sleep. Now, watching the black-haired girl slumber, Wanda realised with a jolt that Sofia looked extraordinarily familiar. Black hair with a white streak near the temples, well-defined features, and sharp green eyes... Wanda knew what she thought this meant, but how could that be? Stephen Strange had had a long-standing relationship with Dormammu's niece Clea, but they had no children! Wanda had known Stephen for years and he had never once mentioned a daughter...
Wanda groaned. If Vesper had survived, she could have asked her for more information, but now she had to try and decide what to do on her own. Stephen would be the best person to ask about fending off Dormammu, but if she went to him and it turned out he really did know nothing of this girl... what then?
Well... she didn't exactly have many other options. But maybe an astral communication first, just to ask some questions, see if it appeared he did know about Sofia... or not. And if not... Wanda nearly winced. Her breaking the news to Stephen, that he likely had a teenaged daughter he knew nothing about? After all the ups and downs she knew he'd had with Clea? Well, at least she wouldn't be within range of his anger.
Another look at Sofia, to ensure the girl slept soundly, (She really did look the image of Stephen!) and another quick glance at the magical protective wards now covering the room's entrances, and then Wanda closed her eyes in concentration and willed her astral form to leave her physical one, then cast her senses about, checking for unseen danger nearby, before 'reaching' with her mind and calling out. 'Stephen?'
She 'heard' a reply immediately, and caught a brief glimpse of Stephen's study, before his astral form came to join hers.
He greeted her politely, as always, and Wanda returned the sentiment. Now what? Best to start off vaguely...
'...Sorry to bother you like this, but ... well, I just fended off a group of Dormammu's servants smack in the middle of New Orleans. I'm just wondering if you had any idea what they might want there?'
'New Orleans?' Stephen frowned, puzzled. "Nothing that immediately comes to mind. It is a magically rich area, but I know of nothing there that would draw Dormammu's attention. I haven't seen anything of note there for more than a decade and a half.'
Coincidental timing, given that Sofia is about fifteen... Wanda mused, then prayed Stephen hadn't overheard that thought. It appeared he hadn't, she noted with relief. 'Nothing at all? Because-' Here goes nothing... 'One of the targets of the attack was a Mhuruuk named Vesper.'
Now Stephen looked genuinely startled. 'Vesper?! But she was Clea's most loyal confidant and ally... why in blazes would she be on Earth?'
That's a very good question. 'I'm sorry, Stephen, but she didn't survive.'
Stephen frowned. 'So Dormammu's creatures find Vesper, who is for some reason in New Orleans, destroy her... and simply leave?'
'I don't know for certain they've left yet. But I'm in a warded place right now.' Wanda took a deep breath. 'We may need to come to you.'
A brow raised. 'We?'
'Vesper was only one of the targets.' Wanda hesitated. 'She was protecting a teenaged girl who believed Vesper was her aunt. The girl's safe with me now.' Here she stopped, for how could she simply blurt out who she thought Sofia was? Clearly Stephen had no idea...
Stephen now looked baffled. 'A teenager?'
'Yes. Her name is Sofia.' Another pause. There was absolutely no reaction from Stephen- the name meant nothing to him, Wanda was sure. That only made this more difficult to say. 'I don't really know how to say this, so...' Wanda reached out with her mind and extended the view of the room until Sofia's sleeping form could be seen.
Stephen drew in his breath sharply as he took in the sight of the girl, looking so much like him, the blood draining from his face. He looked at Wanda, as if hoping she would say this was all a hoax.
She held his gaze, not knowing what to say. He shook his head slowly, face setting firmly.
'This has to be some sort of illusion. A trick. There's no way... Clea would never have kept this from me.' He sounded angry, voice full of denial, but there was pain underlying in his tone.
'Stephen-'
'It's a lie!'
And with that, the projection vanished. Wanda wasn't sure if that had been intentional, or if Stephen had been so angry and confused that he'd simply lost his concentration, but either way, their talk was over. Now what?
Wanda sighed heavily. If she couldn't resume contact with Stephen, and that probably wasn't the wisest idea, given the mood he was undoubtedly in after her revelation, then she'd simply have to take Sofia to New York and make him deal with this. It was understandable that he'd want to think it was a trick- better that than believe that his ex-wife had kept their own daughter a secret from him for so many years- but ignoring problems did not make them disappear.
New York it would be then. She'd let Sofia sleep a little longer, then they'd head for the train station. It would be a long journey, but trains were safer than planes- far less security checks involved.
Wanda did in fact cast a spell to remove glamours, on the off chance that Stephen was right, but nothing about Sofia's appearance changed. She was exactly who she appeared to be. Wanda sighed softly. Now to convince Stephen of that, once we get there....
To be continued...
