Chapter 8

"Mordo!" Strange screamed, his voice being heard by no one but himself. He floated around, attempting to do something, aimlessly hoping to stop what was happening.

"He won't hear you."

Strange turned, to see the Ancient One beside him, floating above the scene calmly.

"But how-" Strange began.

"The Ancient One is someone who is always in the Astral Plane, alive or not." She responded, smiling warmly at Strange.

"Please," he said, begging. "Come back!"

"I...cannot." She said. "Some things are meant to be." He nodded, his head lowered.

"This doesn't make any sense, where am I?"

"The Astral Plane, a dimension that overlaps the Material Plane."

"How do I get back?" He said, his voice worried.

"You can't." She said. His eyes widened.

"What?!" He responded.

"The spell was cast alongside the Reality Stone, your consciousness can't overcome something that is pure power." She said, calmly.

"So I'm stuck? This is it, Earth is destroyed, and we lose?"

"Not exactly." She said. She reached her hand out, a mist appearing before her.

"This," She said, as something began to take shape.

"was hidden in the Astral Plane, as a safeguard, in case it were to fall into the wrong hands." She said, a necklace falling into her hands.

"What is it?" He asked.

"The Eye of Agamotto." She responded, showing it to Strange. It was deep black metallic rope holding a golden closed eye, the shape of Seraphim, a deity, covering it, golden lines weaving over it.

"I've never heard of it." He said, looking at it.

"Few people have. Only the highest ranking Masters know of it's existence, and only I knew it's location." She said, handing it to him. He held it, a warmth flowing through his hands.

"Why show it to me?" He asked.

"Because it is yours to use." She responded. He looked puzzled at her.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"It is the Relic that belongs to the Sorcerer Supreme, the title you now hold. And while using it to turn back time can be risky, using it to place someone in a different time is...simple." She said, smirking. Strange looked between her and Mordo.

"I understand." He turned to look at Mordo, but The Ancient One stopped him.

"Strange...I'm afraid this is goodbye." She said. "For a while." Strange looked down.

"But..I will see you again?" He asked. She, for the first time, didn't have the answer for him, breaking eye contact with him, and looking away.

"I.." She started. Strange looked at her.

"Yes?"

"..don't underestimate Mordo." She said, snapping back to her collected self. "He is a master manipulator, give him the chance, and he'll get into your mind." She said. Strange nodded, turning.

"Goodbye, my friend." She said to him.


Mordo laughed as darkness flooded from the portals, a deep growling emanating from it. People began to panic below him, police arriving on the scene to stop him, but the Mindless creatures that came from the new portals dispatched them with ease.

"Behold!" He said as the portals began to expand, a great red light coming from them.

"Earth has a new master, and it's name is Dor-"

"Mordo!" Yelled Strange. Mordo turned, in shock, as Strange hovered above him, the eye around his neck, open, a green glow shining brightly from it. He took advantage of Mordo's shock, flying towards his foe, slamming into him with all his might, and sending him flying into a building behind him. They smashed through the glass window, as they began rolling across the floor, slamming into a desk. Strange fought with him, fists flying and clothes tearing, before he stood up, conjuring up a powerful blast and hitting Mordo with it, sending him through the other end of the building. Mordo flew down, slamming into the alley below them, the ground cracking as he landed. Strange soared towards where Mordo had fallen, seeing him laying upon the ground beneath him, stunned. Strange flew down, his hand raised at Mordo.

"Stand down." He said, Mordo scowling at him.

"You think..you can stop what's coming?" He said, smirking at Strange, blood trickling from his mouth. Strange's hand began to glow, a magical symbol circling it.

"Yes, I do." He said. "Now give up." He said. Mordo chuckled.

"You can't stop Death." He said. He stood up, quickly moving his thump to Strange's forehead, Strange gasping in pain as their eyes glowed in sync, but only for a split second, before Mordo pushed Strange back.

"So, Stephen Strange..." He said, circling Strange with new strength. "You wish to be redeemed in the eyes of your dead mother?" Strange's eyes widened.

"What did you say?" Said Strange from the ground.

"You're far outclassed, Stephen." Mordo said, as he snapped his fingers, the ground rising up around Strange's limbs, holding him to the ground, his hand clenched closed. Mordo leaned over Strange, curiously looking at the Eye.

"I'm curious as to how you escaped the Astral Plane." Mordo said. "Tell me, Strange. How did you do it?" Strange struggled against the restraints.

"Well.." He said, as Mordo looked at him. "I couldn't possibly over power an Infinity Stone." Mordo smiled.

"So you've done your homework." He said, impressed.

"So I got my own." Mordo's eye widened. He reached into his pocket for the stone, before he gasped, his hand falling through his pocket.

"WHERE IS IT?!" He screamed. Strange smiled.

"And I also grabbed yours." He said, opening his clenched hand, the glowing blue stone sitting safely in it. Mordo reached for it, as Strange used the stone, the restraints crumbling to dust, and Mordo again sinking into the ground as Strange used the power of the stone to effortlessly use his spells. Strange flew up, his hand burning from the stone, as he moved his other hand, the Eye glowing brightly. He looked around at the buildings around him, closing his eyes.

"Let things return to as they were!" He said, breathing out and opening his eyes. A fly flew in front of his face, but as his eyes opened, it slowed to a near stop, as did the cars on the street, the sounds of the sirens, and the screams of fear. The broken buildings and the shattered ground all crumbled up, the stones and rocks going back in place, the buildings fixing themselves. Strange breathed slowly, focusing on not reversing death. He breathed out, as the fly's speed returned, as did the sirens, and in place of screams, were confused groans. Strange, placing the stone in his own pocket, smiled down at Mordo, who, in complete shock, lowered his head in defeat. Strange, confident in his victory, flew back to the group of people, who looked around at each other. They glanced up in fear at the Doctor, as he landed in front of a police officer, who raised his gun in fear.

"Don't be afraid," Strange said, putting his hands up. "The danger has passed. I'll gladly answer any questions you have, if you-" He heard an explosion in the distance, his ears perking up. He glanced towards the sound, recognizing the building that it came from.

"Wong!" He said, leaping up, blasting through the sky as he soared towards the building, noting that Mordo's constraints had crumbled. He weaved in and out between buildings, before landing at the foot of Wong's now smoldering home.

"Oh god..." He said, putting his hand to his mouth in shock.

"STRANGE!" He heard from the building, someone crawling out.

"Wong!" He said, running towards his friend. Wong was bleeding, his face covered in dust and dirt.

"Strange, you have to bring them back!" Wong said, reaching up to Strange, his face full of dread.

"Who..?" Strange said.

"He...he killed her..he killed my wife..." Wong said, his face in shock. "Y-you must be able to bring her back...right..?"

Strange swallowed hard. His hand shook as he picked Wong up from the debris, helping him out of it.

"I..." He began, looking at the burning building. Wong looked at him, with hope. "I...I'm not allowed to..." He said. Wong fell to his knees.

"Steve...please...I..I need them..." He said, tears streaming down his face. Strange breathed heavily.

"I know."

He moved his hands around intricately in the air, green symbols glowing around them as the Eye shone brightly. He grunted in pain, falling to one knee as the Eye began to furiously glow, the building reconstructing, the fires dissipating and the smoke clearing, the building once again returning to it's former glory. Strange breathed out, falling down and coughing, as Wong ran into the building, screaming for his wife, crying when he found her. Strange breathed heavily, as he looked up at Wong, coming outside with his wife and daughter, crying as he hugged them, looking at Strange.

"Thank you."


"I'm very proud of you, Master Strange." Jericho said to him, in the heart of Kamar Taj. "Obtaining the Reality Stone, defeating Mordo and reversing the damage done to New York...very impressive feats. Strange bowed his head to Drumm.

"I'm glad to have a purpose." He said, smiling at his friend and fellow master. He handed Drumm a stone box, which was locked tightly. "The Stone." He said. Drumm nodded, taking it from Strange.

"Well, Master Strange," He said. "Your new assignment is protection of the New York Sanctum, where you will continue your studies. Being the most powerful Sorcerer does not make you the Sorcerer Supreme, so you must continue your journey without my guidance." Strange nodded, as he began to remove the Eye.

"Nay." Drumm said, stopping Strange. "That Relic belongs to you, and you alone. The Ancient One trusted you with it, as do I." Strange bowed his head again. "Of course." He turned, walking down the hall, before looking back. "Thank you, friend." He said.


Strange sat in the Sanctum, reading his book quietly. He drank tea slowly, reading over the odd words in the book.

"More tea?" Called a voice. Strange shook his head.

"No thank you, Wong. You can go home now." He said, smiling back at his friend. Wong smiled, and nodded.

"Thank you, Strange." He said, turning and walking down the stairs of the Sanctum. The home was quiet, and still, as Strange read over his book, but a chill wind brought his attention to the lack of sound, as he stood up, putting his book down. But unknown to him, he was being watched.

"Enjoying your evening, doctor?"

He got up as fast as he could and threw his hands up. A complex shield forming before him, his eyes wide with panic.

"By Vishanti who are you?! he said, his voice fearful.

"Who would have though that the Ancient One had an Infinity stone. I should have harvested her soul so much sooner, she did told you her goodbye I hope?"

Strange's hands moved into a more complex spell, an offensive energy circling his hands.

"How did you know that? She was the only one who knew of the stone! And Mordo couldn't have possibly told you!" Strange said, circling the mysterious woman, cloaked in black.

"All of that doesn't matter. I'm disappointed in you Strange, or should I say Sorcerer Supreme now? You broke my rules by bringing mortals back to life, may I ask for the reason why you would do such a foolish thing?"

"Rules...who are you? What are you talking about?" He said, fear in his eyes.

"It's a good thing you can't reach a certain someone then, it would be a shame to lose my leverage over you wouldn't it?"

"What do you mean?"

"You have a choice Steven Strange. I am Death. I can bring souls back to life." She paused for a moment. Eyeing the man in front of her, looking for cracks in his composure. "A soul like Beverly Strange." She saw him flinch upon hearing that name. "I will bring her back. But you must do something for me first."

"W-why did you say that name…?" he responded. His stomach turning.

She chuckled. "You care for her deeply. Tell me, what are you willing to sacrifice in order to see her again? To tell her that you're sorry about not being able to save her?"

"I don't...Anything! I'll do..." He began, before breathing slowly, standing straight. "I've read about you, Mistress. Many books hold many tales of your...abilities. What is it you want from me?"

"All I want from you dear doctor, is the Eye of Agamotto."

Strange's face softened, as he grabbed the string holding the eye around his neck. "The Eye..?" He said, her magic working on him, as he began to take the Eye off, reaching his hand out, before stopping, suddenly. "I.. why do you want it?" he said, moving his hand back.

"I need it to save this galaxy, your world included. There are forces out here who want to ruin it. Surely you can see that?"

Strange stood tall, eyeing death suspiciously. "You claim to want to save the galaxy..? Then you can trust me with the Eye." He said, placing it around his neck again.

This situation wasn't going how she had hoped it would. "What about your mother?"

He breathed slowly, closing his eyes and remembering his mother, his promises, his tears. He let out the breath slowly, opening his eyes. "It was her time."

Death looked at him with contempt. "Can you even begin to imagine what power you're dealing with? And no doctor, I'm not talking about the stone. I'm talking about my power! I can destroy you without even blinking!"

Strange smirked. "If you're so powerful, why not take the Eye? Or do you know that I know it's workings?" The Eye turned, as it opened on Death's pale face.

"You wouldn't dare!" She yelled. "All I ask is for you to give the stone to me. I will use it to defeat our enemies! Afterward you'll have it back. I give you my word Strange"

Strange cautiously stared at her. "I've given you my answer, Mistress." He said. "Now begone, back to the shadows of YOUR realm. Earth is under my protection, don't forget it."

"Very well mortal. But I want you to remember something." She took a step closer to him. "Eventually the stone will be mine. I can wait for eons if I must. But your time is short, doctor. We will see each other soon." She flashed him a evil smile before vanishing to the realm of the dead, leaving the eerie cold of the Sanctum to Strange, who let out a sigh of relief, as he slumped into his chair.

"This job..." He muttered to himself.

Strange entered the Astral Plane, seeing The Ancient One waiting for him, as usual, sitting and waiting for him.

"Strange," She said. He smiled fondly at her, sitting next to her.

"Master." He said. "I've come with..odd news." Her smile faded.

"I watched your visit from Mistress Death." She said grimly. "And it worries me greatly. But while I sense a darker plot at work, I do not doubt that, for now, you can relax and focus on your studies." She said, her smile returning. Strange sighed.

"I trust your judgement always." He said, smiling.

"So," The Ancient One began. "Did you do it?" She asked him, as he looked puzzled at her.

"Do what?" He said. She smiled.

"Redeem yourself." She said. He cocked his head.

"What do you-"

"When you came to Kamar-Taj, you were a broken man. Sad, angry, arrogant. But you sought something." She said. "And now, you've saved the world from the rule of a monster, recovered a stolen Infinity Stone, and reversed the damage to New York. You've become a savior." She said. "A hero, if you will." He nodded.

"I wanted...to redeem myself to my mother. To make her proud to have me as a son. I failed her in life, but I refused to fail her in death." She smiled.

"She always was proud, Strange." She said. "You were her greatest joy in life, and she loved you with great passion." Strange smiled at her.

"Then I suppose I have been redeemed." He said, smiling warmly.

"Master...I have failed..." Mordo said, having returned to his place of origin, the stone ground beneath his feet. He stood before a towering figure, his back turned to Mordo, his black cape blowing in the fiery wind.

"This news does not please me." The figure said, his voice deep and resonant. His body turned, revealing his head, wreathed in flames, at he stared at Mordo.

"I'm sorry-"

"YOUR APOLOGIES WILL MEAN NOTHING TO THANOS." He said, his voice shaking the ground under them. "THE STONE WAS PIVOTAL TO HIS PLAN." Mordo cowered before his master.

"I-I know-"

"You will be he who reports to him on your failure." He said, calmer now. "Go. Report to him." He said, Mordo thanking him for his hospitality, before leaving. The figure turned his head towards one of the many flaming portals in this realm, looking towards earth.

"So Stephen Strange wishes to make the great Dormammu his enemy." He said.

"So be it."


So, there we go! The end of Doctor Strange's first journey, opening him up into a much bigger world! Dormammu, Death, Thanos...and maybe some others. ;) I would like to give a huge shout out to RaidenFarore, who wrote the lines for Death in this scene, and will continue to do so for any other meetings between Strange and the Mistress. He was an important part of this story, helping me craft it into becoming a much bigger universe, and you DEFINITELY need to check out his work.

On another note, this story is not done. This chapter feels a bit rushed to me, as a lot goes on in it, but I think it's also exactly as it should be. It's up to you guys though, I can do a re-write if you want. There will be one more surprise chapter after this, and then I'll take a break, in order to work on part two, which will maybe be within this fanfic, or in a second one. Not sure yet. :) Either way, there's much more to come, so stay tuned! Please review, and if you want, favorite, because your support keeps me going! Please stay tuned for the next chapter of Doctor Strange: Redemption!

RaidenFarore's profile: u/7434790/

-Darth Ganon