Prologue 2
Dr. Strange
Fan Fiction by David Vincent
At the same time that Thanos is preparing to leave for this soul-rich universe, there is another making some preparations of his own. Levitating in the middle of a seemingly endless universe is Dr. Strange. As he floats, his cape hangs un-moving around his shoulders. The Sorcerer Supreme gazes at six water-like viewers into other dimensions. One is looking in on an otherworldly dimension at Thanos trying to please Death. Another is of that very universe which Thanos plans to invade, and what he sees is what looks like a very old man having a meeting with nine other people dressed in black kimonos with white jackets. The other four liquid viewers have individuals of his earth going about their lives. Wolverine, sitting in a bar relaxing and drinking a beer. Hulk, in the Arizona desert. Thor on top of a mountain, gazing up at the heavens. Psylocke, who is in the X-Men's danger room, training. Dr. Strange decides, as he's looking at these individuals, to stop Thanos' plan. He closes his eyes and suddenly he is in a large ornately decorated room. As his feet once again rest on solid ground, he pulls his cloak around his body and whispers an inaudible incantation then disappears! He appears before Thor floating in the air in front of the god. Thor, somewhat surprised, comes out of his reverie.
Thor: 'Ah Dr. Strange! What a glorious day this is to be visited by one such as you. What brings you to this place of meeting?
Dr. Strange: 'My apologies for disturbing your meditation, but I am in dire need of your services, god of thunder.'
Thor looks down at the sorcerer.
Thor: 'What doth thou bequest of Odin's Son, good sorcerer?'
Dr. Strange: 'Thanos has reappeared and is planning on conquering an unknown universe. He will most likely succeed if we do not interfere. This other world is very powerful and extremely difficult to reach, but he has Death's permission and with that, all of her resources as well. There's no telling what will happen if he is left unchecked.'
Thor contemplates his friend's words and speaks.
Thor: 'Aye, Thanos doth pose a problem indeed. I recall whenst he hath invaded Asgard… You will have mine help in this grave matter Dr. Strange!'
Dr. Strange: 'Thank you my good man. I shall teleport you to my Sanctum Sanctorum to await the other participants.'
Thor: 'There be others? Verily! I shall wait at your table for yon reinforcements.'
Dr. Strange: 'Very good. Feel free to ask Wong for anything you require.'
With that, Dr. Strange teleports Thor back to New York. Once finished, he vanishes to search for his next target. He materializes outside of Xavier's School for Higher Learning and concentrates all of his thoughts on Psylocke who is still training in the Danger Room. Psylocke? This is Dr. Strange; can you hear me? I'm outside of the grounds; can I have a moment of your time? I'll be on the psychic plane. With that he sits down on the grass and closes his eyes. When he opens them again, he finds himself on a small boat in the middle of a lake. He looks around in the distance and he sees a regal castle surrounded by fog. Suddenly, walking on the water is Psylocke, wearing a medieval gown. She glides over the water smiling at the mystic.
Psylocke: 'W'at is it that you want Doctor?'
Dr. Strange: 'I always enjoy the psychic plane. It can be whatever the mind in control wants it to be. Camelot? Very interesting, Elizabeth.'
Just then near Dr. Strange, a woman's ivory arm and hand breaches the water's surface, holding a great sword; Excalibur.
Psylocke: 'Very good Stephen, I am British you know. But it doesn't take a telepath to know that you've came for more than just a social call.'
As she finishes speaking, her gown morphs into her traditional costume. The scenery also changes from old Brittan to Death's realm where Thanos sits on a carved onyx throne with intricately detailed skeletons. Behind him silhouetted in shadow, stand ten figures, each dressed the same yet unique in stature. The most disturbing thing in this reality is that in piles around the mad titan lay battered and beaten bodies. As well as skeletons of known heroes like Captain America, Spider-Man, Storm, Warbird and the Fantastic Four. Dr. Strange looks around and purses his lips.
Dr. Strange: 'You are quite powerful Psylocke and it is this power I would like to use in stopping Thanos' plans. Will you lend me your strength?'
Psylocke: 'It's pretty quiet around 'ere right now. I'll let the other X-Men know w'at's going on. 'Ang on.'
Instantly, the dimension morphs and changes into nothing but light and energy; its base form. Dr. Strange waits patiently and a minute later Camelot returns as the scene and Psylocke stands before him once again in her gown.
Psylocke: 'It's all square. Scott says if you need anything from the others don't 'esitate to ask. I'm ready to go when you are.'
Dr. Strange: 'Excellent. I'm going to teleport you to my home. You'll find Thor already waiting for you there. Thank you, Elizabeth.'
Psylocke: 'Thor? I see you aren't taking this threat lightly. I'll see you soon.'
With that Stephen closes his eyes and when he opens them he finds himself alone and back on the school's grounds. As he did with Thor, Dr. Strange recites an incantation and as he does, feels Psylocke's presence pass thru the gate and safely into his sitting room.
Dr. Strange: 'Very good.'
Once again he teleports himself away in search of his next recruit. Once he rematerializes, Dr. Strange finds himself across the street from an old rundown bar outside of Calgary-Alberta, Canada. Still under a spell of concealment, so as not to alarm anybody, he magically changes his attire from his costume and cloak to a more subtle style. Now donned in a classic fedora hat and business casual dress; he walks across the street and into the dimly lit bar. Sitting in the far back wearing a cowboy hat, plaid flannel shirt and jeans, sits Logan nursing what looks like his fifth glass of beer. Stephen pulls his hat down over his eyes and casually walks over to the man.
Dr. Strange: 'Hello Logan, may I sit down?'
Logan tilts his head in Strange's direction.
Wolverine: 'Free country, bub. I guess yer gonna tell me why ya smell like Xavier's?'
Dr. Strange: 'I almost forgot how acute your senses are Wolverine. I was there just moments ago speaking with Elizabeth Braddock. It is the same reason why I am here to talk to you.'
Wolverine: 'Oh yeah? I don't have my uniform with me so it means I'm not with the X-Men right now. Go bug Cyclops or somethin'.'
With that the man shifts his weight and goes back to drinking his beer, essentially dismissing the mystic.
Dr. Strange: 'I do not need the X-Men's assistance, Logan. I came to her as an individual, and I am here for you also, as an individual. I am here about Thanos.'
Wolverine again looks up at Dr. Strange with recollection in his blue eyes.
Wolverine: 'Damn.'
Dr. Strange: 'Exactly. He's regained enough power to become a threat again Logan, and I need help in dealing with him. He has found a way into another parallel dimension and-'
Wolverine: 'Save it Doc. Just tell me I get ta kick some ass and it's all I need.'
Dr. Strange: 'Ahem. Well, yes, you get to "kick some ass".'
Wolverine: 'I gotta catch a plane back ta New York, so I guess I'll meet ya at yer place?'
The sorcerer chuckles to himself and says.
Dr. Strange: 'Goodness no, Logan. I am going to teleport you directly into my home. Thor and Psylocke are already there. Oh, and I already took the liberty of having a uniform for you to change into when you get there.'
Wolverine: 'Boy Doc, you already knew I was gonna say yes, didn't ya?'
Dr. Strange: 'They don't call me "Sorcerer Supreme" for nothing.'
Wolverine: 'Huh. I guess. You headin' back too?'
Dr. Strange: 'Not yet I'm afraid. I have one more recruit to see. This one may take me awhile… It is Hulk.'
Wolverine: 'Heh. Let me come, Strange, I'll persuade him fer ya.'
Dr. Strange: 'I appreciate the offer but I have to tread delicately with him, after all the harm I caused for him recently. I have set up the portal so as you walk out the front door, you will be stepping into my sitting room. I must be on my way, Logan.'
And without anyone else in the bar even aware that Dr. Strange was there, he disappears right before Logan's keen eyes!
Wolverine: 'Crazy magician.'
He gets up and lays a twenty on the table and as he heads for the door, he lets a lady go ahead of him and suddenly remembers about the portal, but before he can stop her she; walks out to the sidewalk and waits for a cab. Logan thinks to himself as he walks through the door, maybe he forgot to set it up… Suddenly he is in a large room with old furniture. He shakes his head and smiles as he again thinks, gotta love magic.
This time when Dr. Strange materializes, he feels the heat of the blazing sun above him. He looks out into the distance and sees white hot sand all around him. The sorcerer shields his eyes as he walks forward. He soon sees a giant green man looking up into the sun, almost daring it to burn his hide, standing about twenty yards away from his position. He stands his ground, being cautious of the jade giant.
Dr. Strange: 'Hulk! I've come to seek your help. Can I have a word with you?'
Hulk shifts his weight and looks back at the mystic then scoffs.
Hulk: 'What do you want, Strange? I come here to get away from you costumed yahoos, and what happens? Someone like you follows me out here, "to have a word" with me.
He stomps his foot and sends a warning shockwave in Dr. Strange's direction, causing the mystic to levitate. Stephen closes his eyes and sighs. This is going to be problem some. He takes a wide arc around Hulk and stands facing the behemoth.
Dr. Strange: 'Please Hulk. I come here seeking the strongest one of us all to help in a dire mission to stop Thanos. Do you remember him?'
Hulk: 'Why is it that I'm always a threat until somebody needs my help? Then it's "oh lets get Hulk, he'll help us out." I'm not your guard dog Strange, and I don't like to be bothered by people who would try and control me. I'm not anyone's weapon.'
Dr. Strange: 'I do not view you as such, Hulk. I remember our days as Defenders and, call me nostalgic, but I thought it would be nice to work together again. We're missing Silver Surfer and Namor of course, but unfortunately they can not join us this time.'
Hulk: 'Who says I'm joining you? All you've told me is that Thanos is involved, and that isn't enough for me. Sure he's powerful, but can't you just use your magic and trap him in another dimension or something?'
Dr. Strange: 'Death has lent him her power and he is making preparations as we speak to invade and destroy an unsuspecting universe. Thor, Psylocke and Wolverine have-'
Hulk squints and interrupts Dr. Strange.
Hulk: 'Wait, you have the midget helping you out? I can't believe you got him to help you. That guy is so selfish… Alright Strange, you can have my help. There's no way I'm going to let him one up me. Where do I have to go?'
Dr. Strange: 'Excellent Hulk. You will be joining the others in my home. I will teleport you there now.'
The mystic again places his hands together into an intricate pattern and a portal opens before the two men. Smiling and cracking his knuckles, Hulk begins to walk thru the portal.
Dr. Strange: 'I request that you do not start anything until I get there Hulk.'
Hulk: 'I can't promise anything doc.'
Dr. Strange sighs as Hulk vanishes. Just then a being appears before the sorcerer. His head is twice the size of his body and he has a white flowing cape that billows in the hot air. His eyes are blank yet they seem to see everything.
Dr. Strange: 'The Watcher? This situation is dire indeed if Uatu is here. We will do all that we can, Watcher, to stop Thanos with as little damage done as possible.'
The Watcher looks down at the mystic and then back up into the sky and vanishes. Dr. Strange closes his eyes and wraps his cloak around his body and disappears as well.
End Prologue 2