Of Mind and Magic
Chapter 20
Harry looked around him; he was floating in a dark void. Tears leading to other realities decorated the void like stars. He floated to the closest one, finding that on this earth monkeys had evolved to replace humans. As he watched, a monkey version of his aunt turned to look at him, her eyes glowing pink.
Shaking his head, he floated backwards.
Off in the distance was a large swath of land. Glowing orbs surrounded it in an intricate design that Harry recognized as a spell circle. There were six orbs in total, above each orb floated a different jewel.
He instantly recognized the jewels from Reed Richards memories, "The infinity stones," he whispered, "but how, according to Richard's memories, the infinity stones don't work outside of their own universe."
Ignoring the way his voice echoed around him, he floated forward stretching his hand towards the closest orb. Images of a world filled with zombies flashed through his mind. He shuddered as he saw people falling upon one another like rabid dogs, eating the weakest of their undead brethren.
"So these orbs are hearts of universes throughout the multi-verse. As long as the infinity stone stays above the orb of the universe it originated from it will work." He murmured, recalling the information of the hearts the universes and Reed Richards theory about getting around the infinity stones weakness he also pulled from Richards mind.
He floated forward landing near the only inhabited spot on the massive chunk of rock. A pit set directly in front of him, bubbling with familiar liquid white energy. To the left of the pit set a pedestal, a circle of runes carved into the ground around it. More runes fanned out from the circle pointing to each of the orbs containing an infinity stone.
It was an impressive set up, but it was what floated on the pedestal that really drew Harry's attention, a cube burning with an inner blue white energy. He stepped forward, he had seen it on the blueprints orange Hulk had stolen, but seeing it in person was something totally different, it radiated power on an even greater scale than the hearts of the universe or the infinity stones, the cosmic cube.
What could Strange Fate be planning that he needed this much power? Shaking his head, he turned away focusing on the things on the opposite side of the pit. A horseshoe shaped ring of technology took up space on the other side of the pit.
Wires ran from the pit to familiar pillars of silver. Orbs sat atop each pillar, every couple of minutes, the orbs would fire a blast of energy, creating a new tear to another alternate reality.
Harry moved forward, his eyes locked on the figure in the green trench-coat working the technology.
"Mr. Richards?" He called.
The figure looked up, and Harry's eyes widened ever so slightly. Half of his face was the same as the Reed Richards he had met not that long ago, although younger without the beard and grey hair. The other half looked melted. One eye was a pale version of its former glory.
He smiled, only one half of his mouth completing the action, "Ah, Mr. Grey, I didn't expect you to be here so soon." He walked around the piled up equipment, one arm hanging limply out of his trench-coat.
Harry glanced around him, "What is this place?"
The younger Richards spread his good arm wide, "The rebirth of the multi-verse!"
Harry raised an eyebrow, "Really?"
Richards grinned, "No, where actually just trying to replace a universe erased during the recreation of the multi-verse."
"From what I have heard about Strange Fate, he could do that without all this," Harry gestured around him at the spell circle and infinity stones.
Richards inclined his head, "See that's what I told him, but no he wants to replace every multi-verse with a slightly different version of his amalgam universe, that way it's impossible for his universe to be completely destroyed again."
"And how is he going to guard over an entire multi-verse?"
Richards pointed to the pit behind Harry, "By soaking in energies from the beyond."
"That's kind of dangerous and it may not work."
"I told him that too."
"So what do you get out of this?"
Richards raised his shoulders, "I just want to see what will happen. I exist in every multi-verse, so it's not like I can be killed anyway."
"You know I'm going to have to stop him right?"
"I know you'll try. It will be interesting to see what a natural born amalgamation can do against a cosmic created one." His gaze locked on something over Harry's shoulder.
Harry turned.
Xavier rose out of the pit, waves of white energy billowing out from him.
His skin was a moon white. His eyes were like staring into two endless voids of black. A Golden crown sat atop his head, burning with energy. A circular medallion was merged with his chest, the skin around it wrinkled.
Despite not wanting to look at another dudes junk, Harry knew at this moment if he turned away, he could die. Silk clothes appeared on Charles's body, the dark fabric standing out against the pale white skin. He smoothed down the dark purple shirt, pulling the cuffs of the dark blazer ever so slightly.
After a moment, he stepped forward, dark shoes clicking on the floor as they appeared on his feet.
Black eyes locked on Harry, sending a shudder down his spine, "So," Charles began, "you are here?"
Harry cocked his head to the side, "You know me?"
Charles inclined his head, "every time I try to go into the future to see if my plans exceeds, I find you or another version of you standing here," he shook his head, "It's like the universe wants us to fight," his eyes locked on Harry again, "but we don't have to."
"We don't?"
"No, you are a child born of two universes, just like myself. You can find a home in my universe," a smile stretched across his face, "maybe you can even become my successor."
Harry relaxed, dropping his arms to his side, "What do I have to do?"
"Just let me remake the amalgam universe and then multiply it replacing every world in the multi-verse, with a slightly different version of my amalgam world."
Harry nodded, "You know, I do owe you for bringing my parents together. It was your manipulation of the veil between universes that allowed my parents to meet. Some may even say you are my father."
Charles brows joined together, his lips puckering in thought, "I suppose," he began slowly, "that could be true."
"I just have a couple of questions."
"Ask away."
"First of all, how are you going to watch over an entire multi-verse," he shrugged, "I mean you had one universe before, and kind of lost it?"
Charles's face darkened, "That wasn't my fault," he snapped, "There were outside circumstances."
Harry's face dropped, becoming a mask of sympathy, "True enough, but my question is still valid. How are you going to stop history from repeating itself?"
"My power has expanded making it possible for me to monitor each world, making sure they do not come out with anything too dangerous."
Harry's face wrinkled as he hissed through his teeth, "Sounds an awful lot like a dictatorship to me," he waved his hand, "but onto the more important question."
"What happens to the people of the multi-verse? Every universe in the multi-verse is unique. There are some in certain universes that are born nowhere else in the multi-verse. What happens to those unique individuals?"
Charles looked down, "Unfortunately, some sacrifices need to be made."
Harry slowly shook his head, "See that right there is a deal breaker, my father was the only male version of Jean Grey and the entire multi-verse. How could I be a part of something that would wipe out other unique individuals?"
Harry raised his hands, only for Charles's fist to slam into his chest.
Harry coughed, bluish white blood spurting past his lips. He could feel the bones inside him shifting back into their proper places.
Charles's fists opened into a flat hand, "I truly am sorry it's come to this, you could've been a new age of creation." An Eldridge blast launched from his hand, sending Harry flying through the darkness.
Harry spun end over end, his mind whirled as he tried to think up what to do. He threw out his arms stopping his spin in midair. Something crackled in his chest as he breathed deep.
Charles floated before him, "Are some people you've never even met really worth your death?"
Harry's eyes hardened into chips of ice, "I forgot to mention that your manipulations, Your Soldier Mount Joy, killed my father."
Opening his hand, a great sword coalesced before him. Wrapping his fingers around the hilt, he shifted into his energy form, exhaling as the pain of his physical body left him.
With a thought, he blurred out of existence.
Appearing behind Strange Fate, he swung his sword around twisting his upper body, the blade aimed to slice Strange Fate in half.
Energy flared out from Strange Fate's body, creating a light outline around it.
The blade shattered on strange fate's clothes, spectral pieces of it flying into the darkness. On instinct, Harry grabbed his head screaming against the shooting pain that now split his brain in half.
Strange Fate slowly turned, one hand raised. With a snap of his fingers, Harry was solid once more.
He moaned as the pain in his chest returned.
Xavier drifted closer, "I told you before, I knew who I was going to be fighting. I know just how powerful you become, including your New Asgardian body. I have prepared for it all," he drew his arm back before shooting it forward, his pointer finger extended.
A shrill cry cut the void,
Strange Fate's head snapped around, his finger frozen an inch from Harry's chest.
A black Phoenix soared through one of the tears, red eyes burning in the Ebony flames that made up its body. Glaring at Strange Fate, the phoenix released a fireball from its beak.
The fireball slammed into Charles, knocking him away from Harry.
Within a blink, the Phoenix wrapped itself around Harry, its body transforming into an obsidian egg.
–XX –
Harry opened his eyes to find he was floating in a white void.
Before him was a woman made of ebony flames, every curve of her body the very definition of seductive, her red eyes burned like rubies. He swallowed, surprised to find no pain when he moved, "Who are you?"
The woman said nothing, just turned her head to stare at the empty space beside her, a tongue of flame curling like a hook at the back of her head.
Gaia appeared before him, her brown eyes warm. Her green dress hugged her voluptuous body. Her dark lips, the color of grapes curled as she tucked a strand of dark brown hair behind her ear, "I told you when the time came I would offer you help."
She gestured to the woman of fire, "This is Phoenix of earth seven thousand six hundred and forty-two. A universe where a new god called Darkseid pulled Phoenix into his universe to use her as a weapon, but not before having to resurrect her with his power."
"That resurrection changed Phoenix. She can no longer merge with those of any universe, because she like you contains the energy of two universes."
"And she has agreed to merge with me why? For that matter why are you helping me?"
Phoenix turned to him, "I need to merge with someone in order for my powers to have any effect on the world. Added to that, I need the emotions of a host to guide me. You are the only person in the multi-verse that I can now merge with because of Darkseid's resurrection."
"As for me," Gaia spoke up, "I'm tired of mutants being persecuted because their different. I know your plan to create a safe place for mutants, so I want to do what I can to help."
Harry turned his attention back to Phoenix, "What happens when we merge?"
"When you merged with the mother box, it started changes in your body that would transform you into a new Asgardians of the amalgam universe. Unfortunately, the box didn't contain enough energy to complete the transformation."
"By merging with me you will be transformed into Phoenix, the first new Asgardian of this universe."
Harry moved towards her, "What happens to you if we merge?"
Phoenix shook her head, her fiery hair pooling around her feet, "honestly I don't know, but I'm tired of drifting through my universe unable to affect the world around me," crimson orbs locked with Harry's blue, "I'm tired of being alone."
Harry turned to Gaia, "Thank you for your help."
"Just make sure mutants have a safe place and we will be even."
"It's nice, but a little unusual. Why are you so concerned with mutants?"
"I am the primordial goddess of earth, everything on earth came from me, so that makes all of you my children, and no mother likes to see her children abused." She gestured to Phoenix, "Now both of you finish this fight and help make a home for your people."
Harry turned back to Phoenix stretching out one hand, "You ready for this."
Phoenix wrapped her fingers around his, "Of course, it's time for Phoenix to be reborn." Phoenix's body burst into flames swirling in a tornado of black around Harry.
–XX –
Charles Xavier floated before the cosmic cube. In his time as Doctor strange fate, he had done many powerful spells, but nothing on the scale of rewriting the multi-verse. The cosmic cube could rewrite a universe on its own, but bolstered by the power of the infinity stones and the heart of multiple universes in a runic circle pattern. He would be able to create a multi-verse, where there was no fighting, no war, only order, and peace.
He stretched forth his hand, a small cylindrical hole opened in the top of the cosmic cube.
Power flowed from his outstretched hand into the hole, causing the cube to flare brighter, the hearts of the universes and the infinity stones of each universe flared in time with the cosmic cube. Slowly, the crown on his head morphed into the golden helm he had worn for so many years.
According to the notes of AIM, it would take millions of minds working together to dominate a cosmic cube's will and completely control its power, but with the magic he'd absorbed from his universe, and soaking in the energy of the beyond, his power was now amplified and on the same wavelength as the cosmic cube.
That should make it easy for him to dominate whatever personality was beginning to develop.
He closed his eyes, preparing to give his full attention to reshaping creation.
Something wrapped around his waist, yanking him away from the cube.
He spun to find that the obsidian egg had transformed into a humanoid form, black begun to flake off the form floating away in the void.
Before long Hadrian Grey floated before him, the tattered remains of his shirt flapping in the dark flames that wreathed his body. His red eyes burned into strange fate's glowing white, "Our fight is not over!"
Strange Fate's hands flashed through the air in a complicated pattern. Humanoids made of white energy appeared around him, their arms morphing into sharp blades. With a gesture, he sent them forward.
Harry slapped his hands together, slowly drawing them apart. A staff made a black fire hovered between his palms. Grabbing it in the middle, he twirled it around his body, his form blurring to meet his new foe.
He winced as a bladed arm nicked his shoulder, twirling the staff around his body. He smacked the offender in the midsection, causing them to shatter like glass. Twisting around another attack, he broke the staff into two shorter poles, slamming them down on the humanoid from behind.
Its head disappeared, its body slowly shimmering out of existence soon after.
Harry floated backwards, keeping the remaining three energy beings in his sight. He wasn't going to be able to take on strange fate in a straight up fight. He had the magic of a universe behind him, plus the bolstering of his artifacts, and whatever mutations the energy of the beyond had done to him.
He needed to find a weak spot, but for that he needed time.
The three remaining humanoids charged. Harry launched his fire sticks through the air, their form shimmering into arrows as they flew.
One of the arrows pierced a humanoid in the head causing him to pop out of existence, but the other arrow went wide.
Cursing, Harry floated forward, launching a punch at the one charging him.
In a flash the humanoids bladed arms came up in a scissor motion, ready to cleave Harry's hand off at the wrist.
At the last second, Harry opened his hand, releasing a blast of pure energy that vaporized the creatures head and a good portion of its shoulders. Just as it began to close its scissor like arms it faded from existence.
Harry turned ready to take on his last opponent only for a pale fist to slam into his jaw, sending his body lurching sideways.
Shaking his head, Harry righted himself, finding Charles Xavier a.k.a. Strange Fate floating before him.
Strange fate nodded to him, "You have some skill, it would be a disservice to you to continue to fight minions," his hands begin to weave another complicated pattern.
Sigils began to phase into existence in front of strange fate spinning in a slow circle about the size of a basketball.
Slowly, a pentagram began to form, its lines bouncing off certain Sigils.
Harry ignored the threat forming before him. This may be the only time strange fate held still. So strange fate's more complicated magic took hand gestures to perform. He could neutralize that at least temporarily.
He stared at strange fate's form, his eyes squinting. It was like staring into the sun. After a minute, his eyes began to hurt, but pathways showed themselves in strange fate's body converging on a circle in the center of his chest.
Harry thought back to when strange fate emerged from the pit of beyond energy. "The golden medallion in the center of his chest must be helping him regulate the power flowing through his body."
Two more spell circles appeared at either one of strange fate shoulders, forming a small triangle. When the pentagram appeared in all three they fired a massive blast of magical energy.
Harry disappeared in a blue flash, only for the blast to follow him. He was just about to do it again, when a psychic attack slammed into his mind, causing him to pause for just a second.
The blast slammed into his back, he cried out the smell of his own flesh burning filling his nose.
Harry hung in the void, his arms hanging limply at his sides, his vision blurring.
Strange Fate moved forward, a curved dagger appearing in his hands. "Goodbye," he thrust the dagger forward aiming to Pierce Harry's forehead.
At the last second, strange fate spun grabbing the sword of another Harry that phase into existence behind him. The blade sliced into his hand. Crimson droplets fell from pale flesh.
Strange fate raised his free hand, a mystic circle connecting his fingers, the runes rotating. Lines created a serpents head in its center. A spectral snake made of pale white energy lunch for Harry, the half heart-shaped flaps on either side of its body billowing out as it lunged.
Harry disappeared, appearing closer to strange fate, he launched a fist forward.
Strange fate's free hand shot up, catching his fist.
Bringing up her knee, Harry slammed into strange fate Scott extending his leg and launching himself away from the man. With a wide sweep of his hand, spectral arrows sped forward.
Strange fate's hand moved in a blurring motion, knocking the arrows in all directions.
The battle paused, Harry stared at strange fate searching for a weakness. his magically enhanced sight flared, showing him mystic lines running through Charles's body like veins. They seem to converge in the center of his chest. "The medallion," he murmured.
Strange Fate phased forward.
Harry's pupils dilated, his newly enhanced mind allowing him to see strange fate move. His hand lashed out, wrapping around Strange Fate's wrist. His other hand shot forward fingers poised to pry the amulet from his chest.
Xavier's hand came up wrapping around Harry's wrist.
Harry opened his mouth, releasing a wave of black fire.
Strange fate flinched back, releasing Harry's wrist.
He screamed the scent of charred flesh filling the space between them.
Despite himself, Harry's saliva thickened at the unpleasant smell bile rising in his throat. Swallowing it down, he focused on the task at hand.
Tightening his grip around strange fate's wrist, Harry focused his complete attention on the medallion keeping the fire pouring from his mouth even it is his body began to grow warm.
His hand shot forward, out white barrier flared around the amulet pushing back his attempts to get it.
Gritting his teeth, Harry pushed forward, burned patches growing on his hand as he pushed through the energy. His fingers scrabbled against the metal.
Xavier kicked him away, a sharp blow to the gut cutting off the flames.
Holding his stomach, Harry looked up, now realizing there was steam rising off his body.
Xavier hovered in the air, charred patches littering his upper body, his face mostly melted, the skin above his eyebrows having run over his eyes, a hole in his left cheek showing his teeth in the right side of his mouth sealed shut.
With his sight, Harry watched the medallion flayer, energy traveling from the embedded metal to strange fate's wounds, rapidly healing them. Within moments, he was as good as new, only his destroyed clothes showing signs of his previous injuries.
Strange fate dipped his head in respect, "You have power and skills. unfortunately for you, I have more."
Charles's eyes flared with violent power.
Harry staggered from the sheer pressure pressing down on his mind, a voice boomed in his head like thunder, "Kneel, submit to your fate!"
Translucent blue power mingled with black fire flared around Harry, forming into a Phoenix. The majestic bird opened it maw its shrill cry echoing through the void,
I don't believe in fate! With a flick of his hand, a spectral train flew from his palm, the peer omitted blade on the ends stabbing into the medallion in the center of his chest, but if I did this would be yours. With a yank the medallion flew from Xavier's chest, white lightning snaking over his body as the distance between himself and the medallion grew.
Grabbing the medallion, information flowed into Harry's mind. This thing was called The All Seeing Eye. He shook his head. Power flared around Harry, carving spiral and rectangular runes into the metal surface.
Strange fate lunged forward, the medallion flared.
Strange his body seized, white streamers of energy poured from his body, flowing into the amulet. As the energy left him, strange fate's body thinned. Starting at his toes, his body began to crumble into ash.
Staring at Harry resignation was now clear in his midnight dark eyes as they faded back to the natural blue.
A smile slowly stretched across Strange Fate's face. "Well played," he breathed. His eyes locked with Hadrian's, "Remember what happened to my people," he said quickly as the last of his body flaked away, "never let it happen again."
Turning Harry floated over the hearts of the universe is, the all Seeing Eye pulsing in his hand. His gaze swept the circle, lingering on the infinity stones hovering above each heart of the universe taken from multiple universes throughout the multi-verse. It still amazed him how Strange Fate got around the infinity stones not working outside their own universe.
Turning his attention back to the cosmic cube floating in the center of the spell diagram, he inserted the medallion, feeling a minor pull on his soul as he did so. Resting his hand atop the cube, power thrummed into his palm. With this he could have anything he desired, but right now there was only one thing he could think of. He closed his eyes.
"I want a place where mutants can be safe, somewhere I can create instead of destroy."
The entire spell circle flared with rainbow colored light that Harry could see even through his closed eyes. A stronger pull on his soul caused him to seize up in pain. Then he felt the familiar shift of teleportation.