51

A Meeting of Strangers

Heimdall watched as Viva, Thor, and the Avengers approached the Bifrost hub and the Gatekeeper made a bow.

"Greetings," he said.

"Greetings," Thor returned.

"Your father has informed me about you going to Midgard," he said, looking at Viva.

"Yes," she said with a nod.

"Don't worry, Big Guy, we'll take good care of her," Tony reassured him..

"You better," Heimdall said with a warning look and Tony nodded.

Thor hugged his little sister then he moved back and nodded. Heimdall opened the portal as the Avengers, Viva, and Kiva entered the portal and teleported them to Midgard.

Midgard: Avengers Tower

The door to the elevator opened while Tony escorted Viva in the living room and she was amazed with how different the room looked compared to the sitting rooms in Asgard.

"Well, what do you think?" Tony asked and she placed the carrier with Kiva on the floor.

"It's...different," she said and he nodded. Kiva sniffed the floor when the cat growled after she found Loki's scent.

Loki was injured here, Kiva sent to her and Viva looked at Tony.

"What's wrong?" he asked, walking to her.

"Kiva has informed me Loki was injured in this place," Viva said, picking up the cat.

"Didn't he or Thor tell you what happened?"

"Yes, but it doesn't excuse what you did to him."

"Yeah. If he hadn't tossed me out the window, I think he would have told me what was going on."

"No, he wouldn't. He was still very fragile back then. And he was under the control of the Mind Stone."

"Do you want a drink?" Tony asked.

"Just some tea."

"We have a wide verity of teas, Miss. Do you have a preference?" Jarvis asked and Viva jumped, looking around to see who was talking.

"That's Jarvis. He's my AI assistant," Tony explained. He remembered how fascinated she was with the elevator so he knew he would have to explain what AI was.

"Is that similar to a computer?" she queried, surprising him.

"Yes, but one capable of learning on its own, similar to a person," he replied, then recalled that Asgard had such things too.

Viva looked around the living room when she walked to the glass doors and Tony followed her. She watched him open the glass doors then they walked out onto the helipad and her eyes widened at the view.

"You can see everything from up here," she said, softly.

"Mostly everything, yeah."

She carefully walked across the helipad when she sensed Loki and Thor's auras and her mind showed her their battle. She could sense Loki's pain and confusion and Thor's need to help Loki.

"You ok?" Tony asked and she turned to look at him.

"This is where they fought. Thor and Loki."

"Yeah. We found Loki's helmet over there."

"Do you still have it?"

Nodding, Tony led her back inside as the elevator door opened and Pepper Potts walked in the room.

"Tony, who is that?" Pepper asked.

"This is Thor's sister, Viva. Viva, this is my assistant, Virginia Potts." Tony said.

"Hello," Viva said with a nod and Pepper walked to Tony.

"Why is she here?" Pepper asked.

"She's here to see Stephen Strange," Tony said.

"Why?"

"Allow me to explain," Viva said as she explained her dreams and Pepper frowned.

"And you believe he needs your...skills to help him cope with what happened to him?" Pepper asked.

"Yes."

"I was thinking of calling Christine Palmer.

She might know where he is," Tony said.

"Who is Christine Palmer?" Viva asked.

"She's his girlfriend," Pepper said and Viva felt her heart sinking in her chest.

He already has a woman in life? Viva thought.

"She was his girlfriend, Pep," Tony corrected. "They haven't been a couple in years."

"So, he doesn't love her?" Viva asked.

"Only as a friend."

Viva swallowed hard in relief. She silently thanked the Norns for making a way for her, then said with her customary calm, "I understand. That sort of thing happens a lot on Asgard as well. Not every relationship ends with wedding bells."

"No, they don't," Pepper said.

Tony had walked to the couch when he removed his phone and he looked at the text screen. He looked through the list when he found Christine's number and he typed on the tiny keyboard.

"What are you doing?" Viva asked, walking to the couch and she sat next to him.

"I'm sending Christine a message," Tony said, showing her what he was doing and she frowned.

"How does she get it?"

"I just push this button and, ta-dah, the message is sent."

"That is amazing!"

Tony shrugged. "It's just communication tech. Your people can fly jets into outer space and build giant robots and other things people here only imagine in science fiction shows."

Viva recalled Jane explaining about movies and nodded. "There is much that we can teach you, Tony, but the reverse is also true as well. We each can learn from one another."

"I hope we can do that someday," Tony said when music came from his phone and he smiled.

"What was that?"

"It means she answered me."

Tony looked at the screen as he sighed and Viva saw the worried look on his face.

"What's wrong?" VIva asked.

"It appears Stephen isn't in New York."

"Where is he?"

"She doesn't know."

"Do you believe he may be in danger? Or somewhere trying to heal from the trauma he endured? In my latest dream he did not appear too distressed. He seemed to be learning magic to me."

"I don't know if he's in danger. Do you know where he was in the dream?"

Pepper frowned. "Magic? Like pulling rabbits out of hats and coins out of kids ears and stuff? Tricks?"

"In your world magic is only tricks but in mine it is a very real force that can save or destroy depending upon the user." Viva answered. She looked at Tony. "He seemed to be in a room like a library and then perhaps in a place where apprentices study."

"Sir, could Doctor Strange be in a monastery? Maybe in Tibet?" Jarvis asked.

"He might," Tony said.

"I shall scan for monasteries which deal in the healing arts and magic."

"He can do that?" Viva asked.

"Yep!" Tony said with a grin.

"Sir, I have located several monasteries, but the one which stands out is Kamar-Taj."

"Where is that?" Pepper asked.

"It is located in Nepal."

"Wait! Yes! That is where the woman in my dream said he is!" Viva said.

"But Kamar-Taj is considered a myth."

"Some myths are based on fact."

"Like Thor and Loki?" Tony asked.

Viva grinned. "Exactly. The trick is to separate fact from fiction. How do we get to this place?"

"I am trying to locate it," Jarvis said.

"Thank you."

"What are you going to do once you find him?" Pepper asked.

"I would like to help him heal and teach him how to properly use his magic."

"Stephen is a fast learner, so teaching him magic isn't going to be that hard," Tony said.

"That will depend on his strength in the Art and his affinity for it. All apprentices are different. Sometimes what comes easy to some is hard for another. Take my brother Thor, for example."

"Thor had problems learning something?"

"Loki told me he could master summoning storms with his magic easily but controlling them was difficult. And he could not master Loki's shifter magic or illusion casting at all. But he could sometimes sense Loki even in another seeming or shape."

"Is that why Loki was able to trick Thor when Thor thought he was still in the holding cell? He didn't know it was an illusion?"

"Yes."

"Sir, I have a possible location of Kamar-Taj," Jarvis said as a holographic map appeared and a red glowing dot showed where Kamar-Taj might be located.

Viva leaned forward eagerly. "I have a hunch that is where Stephen is." Her eyes glowed with excitement.

Every nerve in her body quivered, like a hunting hound on point. Her clairvoyance told her this was where she needed to go.

"Jarvis, have my jet made ready. It looks like we're going to Nepal," Tony said.

"Yes, sir," Jarvis said.

"Uh, Tony, how is she going to travel? She doesn't have a passport," Pepper remarked.

"What is a passport?" Viva asked, puzzled.

"It's a document which allows people to travel from one place to another," Tony said as he got up and he walked toward the desk. "Let me see if I can get you one."

"Tony, it takes a few days to get one," Pepper reminded him and Tony nodded.

"I know. That's why I am sending Hap a text telling him to see if he can put a rush on it."

"I could always ask Heimdall to send us there," Viva said.

"He could, but those portals make a lot of noise. We don't want to scare people."

Viva nodded when she sensed magic in the air and she looked down. Before she could move, a portal opened under her feet and she screamed as she was sucked into the swirling vortex and whisked away.

"Jarvis, what just happened?!"

"Unknown, sir," Jarvis said.

"Scan for her energy signature. The last thing I need is a ticked off Thunder God coming here because someone took his sister."

Asgard:

Loki placed the last of his shirts in the suitcase when Sigyn slid her arms around his waist and he smiled. They were packing to go on their honeymoon trip to Vanaheim for a few weeks.

"Hello, darling," she said, watching him turn and he leaned his head down to kiss her lips.

"Hello," he said when Viva's distress shattered his peaceful mood and his eyes widened.

"Loki, what's the matter?"

"Something is wrong with Viva," he said and she let go of him. He closed his eyes as he cleared his head and he reached out for his twin's mind.

Viva, what's wrong? he sent.

I don't know, Viva sent.

What happened? I thought you went with Stark to Midgard.

I did. We were discussing how to find the man in my dream when this portal opened under my feet and I fell.

I will alert Father.

Loki broke the connection when he ran for the door and Sigyn prayed the angry look in his eyes didn't mean something bad had happened to Viva.

Greenwich Village - Sanctum Sanctorum:

The portal opened as Viva looked around the large room and she sensed great magical power all around her.

"Welcome," a female voice said and she quickly spun around. Standing behind her was a bald woman in a cream-colored robe and brown leather sandals. She held a strange folded fan in her right hand and she made a little bow of respect. "I apologize for frightening you, but we needed to speak in private."

"Who are you?!" Viva demanded.

"I am the Ancient One."

Viva sensed great authority and power coming from her as she nodded and the Ancient One nearer.

"What do you want?" Viva asked, wondering why the woman seemed familiar. Had she seen her before in a dream?

"I wish to speak to you about Stephen Strange. He told me he has had dreams about a woman and he has described her to me."

She waved her hand as an image of Viva appeared and Viva frowned.

"That's me," Viva said in a soft voice.

"Yes, it is. I can take you to him if you wish."

She looked at the Ancient One when something about the Ancient One shifted and Viva backed away from her.

"How do I know this isn't a trap and you just want to keep me from him?" Viva demanded.

"You don't. "

"Return me to my friend before..."

A loud crash of thunder filled the air as they looked up and the Ancient One waved her hand. They vanished then they appeared on the roof and Viva saw Thor and Loki standing there.

Viva, are you alright? Loki sent.

Yes, Viva said and Loki glared at the Ancient One.

"Release our sister, Sorceress," Thor demanded while lightning crackled in his eyes.

"Better do what he says, Lady," Tony warned as he appeared in his battle armor and the Ancient One looked at him.

"I assure you I mean no harm," The Ancient One said.

"Then why did you take her?" Thor scowled.

"She just wanted to tell me more about the man in my dreams," Viva replied.

"And she thought kidnapping you was a good idea?" Tony frowned.

"I did not kidnap her. I just wished to speak to her in private," the Ancient One protested.

Loki studied her and the same sense of uncertainty Viva felt about her flowed through him. "You could have just asked," he chided.

The Ancient One shrugged. "But my way was quicker."

"She said he has told her about me," Viva said.

"What did he tell you?" Loki asked.

"He spoke to me about how she has been in his dreams," the Ancient One said and Loki noticed the look on her face.

"Does he wish to meet with her?" Thor asked.

"Yes, but now is not a good time. He is in the middle of his training and any distract could be dangerous," the Ancient One said.

"What sort of danger are we talking about?" Tony asked.

"Do you know of Dormammu?"

"Nope. Who is he?"

"He is the Cosmic Conqueror. The Destroyer of Worlds. A being of infinite power and endless hunger. He is on a quest to invade every universe so he can bring them into his Dark Dimension. He has already take one of my disciples and turned him against me."

"Who was this disciple?" Loki asked.

"His name was Kaecilius."

"And you need Strange to help you stop this guy?" Tony asked.

"Maybe, but it has been difficult. Stephen Strange is not a very cooperative person."

Viva noticed the small smile on her face as the Ancient One looked at her and she nodded her head. Or perhaps he has not found the right teacher to trust, she thought, concealing a grin of amusement. She knew from her own lessons that trust between master and student was paramount.

"Maybe seeing you will help him finally understand why his training is so important."

"Do we have your word she will be safe?" Thor demanded sharply.

Loki noticed the Ancient One was someone who did not like her authority questioned and she stood her full height.

"I understand your not trusting me. If I wished to prevent her from seeing him, I would not have brought her here."

"Where are we?" Tony asked. He had been looking around as he noticed they were in Greenwich Village, but the sanctum was not on the holographic city map.

"This is the Sanctum Sanctorum."

"Huh. So, what are you going to do now? Are you going to take her to Kamar-Taj?" Tony asked.

"Yes," the Ancient One said with a nod.

"Good. Because I'm going with you just in case you're not on the up and up."

"I will go as well," Thor said firmly.

"If anything happens to my sister, you'll answer to me," Loki warned, his voice cold as the icy winds of Jotunheim, and pregnant with danger. The two sorcerers locked eyes for a moment, and then the Ancient One gave him a nod of respect before looking away briefly. There was no mistaking the power inherent in Asgard's foremost Master of Magic.

Loki saw the anger in the Ancient One's eyes as she sighed then acquiesced. With a wave of her hand, they vanished and Loki stood alone on the roof. Sighing, he looked up at the sky and he lightly shook his head.

"Heimdall, open Bifrost," he called out. The golden light enveloped him as he closed his eyes and he sent a silent prayer for them to be safe.

Kamar-Taj:

Stephen stood with the others on the training grounds as he tried to form The Shield of the Seraphim, but nothing happened. All the students were dressed in gray and brown robes that designated their apprentice status, while the masters were in green and black with magical symbols etched upon the sleeves. The training grounds were a flat piece of earth with smooth obsidian stones set in interlocking circles and beyond were the high walls of glittering golden stone of the monastery itself, with sloping red roofs of lacquered tile and statues of majestic mythical animals like phoenixes, unicorns, known as ki-lin to the monks, and Chinese water dragons. A set of stone stairs led down to the grounds from the courtyard.

"Argh!" he growled as Mordo, his teacher, a tall spare man with his dark hair drawn into a top knot, approached. Mordu was giving him a frown of displeasure. Stephen sighed.

"Concentrate," Mordo rebuked.

"I am!"

"No, what you are doing is fighting. Let the magic flow through you."

Stephen glared at him as he held his hands out again and concentrated. He knew he could do it, but something kept appearing in front of him, distracting him and scattering his will to the four winds. No, not something. Someone.

Who are you? he thought as he tried to focus his mind, but something told him to look over at the stairs. He glanced at the Ancient One and Tony, but it was Viva who caught his attention.

"It can't be," he said, lowering his hands.

"What are you looking at?" Mordo demanded sharply.

"Her," Stephen said and he turned to walk towards them.

It's him. The man of my dreams, Viva thought as she watched him approach and her eyes roamed over his face and body appreciatively. She took a reading of him, sensing his pain, frustration, and curiosity as he walked up the stairs, heading for her.

"Greetings, Stephen Strange," the Ancient One said, but he ignored her.

"Hello," Stephen said in a soft voice and Viva locked eyes with him.

Norns, what is he doing to me? Viva thought as she got lost in his eyes, cerulean pools like a storm tossed lake in summer, and his baritone voice made her heart begin to race.

"Hello," Viva finally said and Tony looked from her to Stephen and back.

"Nice to see you again, Doc," Tony said and Stephen looked at him.

"Hello, Stark," Stephen greeted. "Long time no see." Then he looked at Viva. "Who are you?"

"I am Viva of Asgard," she said with a nod.

"Asgard? Like in Norse mythology?"

"Yes."

"And this is Thor," Tony said and Stephen looked at Thor.

"Thor is real?"

"Yes, I am," Thor said with a nod and Stephen gave him an impressed look before he looked at Viva again.

"What are you doing here?" he asked her.

"She is here to help you with your training," the Ancient One said.

"I thought that's what Mordo was for."

"Let us see how you do with a different instructor," the Ancient One replied.

Viva looked at Mordo when she felt an overwhelming sense of evil coming from him and a cold shiver moved through her. "You alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Viva said as she looked into Stephen's blue eyes and she noticed how they changed color when he moved his head. "What were you doing?"

"I was trying to summon The Shield of the Seraphim, but I just can't seem to do it."

"Mind if I help you?" she asked. His eyes widened a little as he nodded his head and they headed for the training ground. Mordo watched as Stephen took his place with the others and Viva stood next to him. Stephen held his arms out as he closed his eyes then he felt a warm, calming wave move over him after she placed her hand on his right forearm. "Concentrate. Picture what the shield looks like and let the magic flow through you. But first relax, because tenseness hinders the flow of energy."

"I can do that part. It's getting the magic to move through my hands."

She heard the defeat in his voice as she looked at the scars on his hands and he shook at her touching the scars.

Imagine your hands and fingers as a part of a tree branch. There are some small branches which have been damaged by a storm, but there are stronger branches. Find them and redirect the magic through them, she sent and he was stunned that he could hear her.

How are we speaking this way?

I am a telepath also and can mindspeak with whomever I choose that is not intentionally blocking me, she explained. It's an ability I share with my twin brother, Loki.

Loki? As in Loki God of Mischief of Norse mythology?

Yes, but he is also a Prince of Asgard and Jotunheim—as am I.

Poor Stephen felt his head spin as he tried to digest this new information. Umm . . .

Sensing his astonishment, she sent, For now, let's concentrate on your lesson. We can speak more about my origins and my family later.

The apprentice gave a short nod. Perhaps that would be best. Then he shoved his feelings away and concentrated hard.

Stephen opened his eyes as he looked at his hands, then imagined himself a tree. Yellow light burst around his hands. He concentrated then he formed The Shield of the Seraphim and the shield shimmered in a bright light. The other disciples looked in amazement as he smiled and he gave Viva a wink.

Mordo had walked to the Ancient One and glared at Viva and Stephen. The Ancient One eyed him, lofting an eyebrow.

"You do not approve?" she asked.

"No, I don't. He is supposed to figure out how to do the spell on his own," Mordo snorted.

"I seem to remember you not being able to do the spell the first thousand times you tried to do it," she reminded and Mordo scowled as she walked off.

Mordo watched as Stephen summoned another shield and bowed to Viva and she laughed.

Growling, Mordo walked away, his anger growing stronger as he did so for the beautiful mage with the unusual colored eyes.

Viva watched as Mordo departed and felt the tension in the room slowly dissipate. That one, she thought warily, bore careful watching. She had felt the aura of evil about him and it made all her senses tingle in warning.

Stephen caught her glance and queried, "Are you okay?"

"Yes. But beware that one. His aura is red with anger and dark with old blood."

"How can you tell?"

"Because I am a Seer and Empathic Healer among other things. I can sense what is hidden."

Stephen felt a jolt run through him at her words. Her voice was soft, melodic, like a bird singing. Beautiful, he thought. Like a meadow lark upon the first day of spring. The thought warmed him immensely, for so long had the chill of winter blown through his spirit, that he had nearly forgotten what it felt like to be warm.

Just hearing her voice did odd things to him, and her mere presence soothed and excited him all at once.

Without knowing how, he sensed this was the woman he had been waiting for all his life. I know her, though we have only just met. I know her deep in my soul. The revelation shook him with the force of a thousand winds.

Their eyes met and that unseen connection flared between them once again, mysterious, magical, and alarming. There were secrets hidden in the depths, Viva thought, but with patience she was sure she could coax him into revealing them, and so help him heal from the wounds of the past. Or so she hoped. She had not crossed two realms only to fail now.

Stephen smiled slightly at her, thinking that if the urgings of his heart were correct, he had a future with this lady—if he dared to seek it. But would she want to share it with him?