Despite Wanda's mountain cottage appearing far from Stephen Strange's path, the doctor walked down the halls of the city's most prestigious private school. Stephen Strange founded a private magic school after becoming the sorcerer people know him as today. He founded the school with S.H.I.E.L.D., who accepted anyone they considered worthy of learning magic.
One more young student, the same age as Ariana, started her first year a few months ago. This was at the same time that Wanda took Ari in. It was then that she became Dr Strange's student. Her teacher, Ruby, walked with her through the school halls while she gazed at everything that The Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D had accomplished.
Ruby asked, "What... happened to the team after Thanos was destroyed?"
"Captain Marvel and the Guardians of the Galaxy went back into space as we returned to our own lives. Most of us... or what was left of us... went back to our own lives-"
Upon seeing the picture of Wanda in her normal form and Scarlet Witch form, Ruby asked Stephen, "Who is that?".
"This is Wanda. She has been through a lot since joining the Avengers in the fight with Ultron. After school is done, I will take you to meet her because if it was up to you, you'd spend your summer learning magic if you wanted to."
"hey! I wouldn't... maybe a little, but I wouldn't."
Ruby followed Stephen to the school's courtyard, where students gathered during breaks or even in class to practice magic.
"Let's check how far you have come before the summer begins so that we can see what kind of magic you have wrought!"
As Ruby prepared to use her magic, she nodded
Stephen started his attack spell, aiming it at his student "think quick"
Despite barely conjuring a shield in time, Ruby stopped the spell just as her teacher instructed her.
"That one spell every time!"
"Ruby, it hasn't been much longer than a few months, you still have time to learn... even fast learners like you struggle with magic."
"However, despite mastering every other spell you have taught me, I have never been able to master this one."
"It's because you don't give up until you have mastered magic over summer break. And that's why you can't learn magic over summer break"
"Ok, I understand what you mean, but this is the only spell I need to improve on before we move on to harder ones."
When she said this, Stephen was about to turn away and sighed
"Ruby, we've been through this before. "
"The harder spells also go into dark magic, I know... and if you are not careful, you may get corrupted... I know."
"The spells you mention are also for advanced students... you're not quite there yet, nor are you ready to learn about the Multiverse yet."
"The multiverse?"
"Otherworlds, with different versions of us... pack up your things and I'll explain after you're done"
The young student sighed quietly as she walked away reluctantly, almost as stubborn as her teacher.
They walked through the city an hour after they had finished packing now that school was over.
"Is that group you guys used to fight still around?"
"Occasionally, we faced each other as enemies," he replied.
"It's been a while since I read about it, but I don't remember their name..." Ruby thought for a moment before the name came to mind
"Hydra, are they still around or were they defeated?"
"Oh, they're still around... hidden amongst us"
After thinking for a moment, Ruby managed to catch up with her teacher
"Where are we going then?" she asked.
"We're going to see the friend I told you about"
The pair went to a small cafe near the school a few moments later. As Wanda sat with Ari at a table near the window, she smiled.
"So...tell me why we're here again... home is good"
"Ari, there's a magic school here... and I've just happened to know one of the teachers. Besides, you can't stay in one place forever... I know from experience." Wanda sighed softly but then smiled as Ari looked at her.
"Do not worry about me... I'll be fine. I'll study my magic, which is too powerful for you at the moment."
As they heard a familiar voice, Ari asked, "when is the school supposed to start?"
"There's still some time until then, but I will show you where to go so you know all the classes and where to go. You'll also be taking the same classes as Ruby... Wanda says your magic is strong, but you have to learn control over it"
Stephen explained as he sat next to Wanda and Ruby next to Ari.
"Trust me; you'll have a great time here."
She smiled gently, then paused as she glanced out the window and noticed a green blur in the distance. When she looked at Stephen, she said, "We should get out there." Her eyes narrowed.
In her frustration, Wanda told Stephen, "the girls stay here," as they got up from the table. "That does not sound like Bruce."
"He's more peeved off than usual if it is him"
"We wanna help!
"no! Ruby your magic isn't ready for this type of threat yet"
"neither is yours, Ari! Get somewhere safe!"
"but... ugh this isn't fair!" Ruby complained as both their teachers left the cafe to go and find Bruce Banner... if it is him.
Wanda and Stephen now saw the green blur from the cafe was another version of Bruce Banner's Hulk just... more annoyed and slightly bigger.
"We need to drive it away from the city! Wanda this isn't Bruce!"
"thank you captain obvious! Bruce's hulk was big but this guy is bigger!"
As all of New York's citizens were running and screaming trying to get away from this new Hulk, inside the cafe Ruby didn't seem afraid of it suddenly having an idea
"We need to go and help! I have an idea"
"wait but my mother said stay here!"
"it's just gonna be for a second!"
She crawled from under the table they were hiding under and as soon as the new Hulk got closer to the cafe she attempted to create a shield just as Dr Strange had shown her in school.
"This has to work otherwise I'm gonna be in huge trouble" she mumbled to herself watching the new Hulk get closer to her, without realising she looked up as she began struggling to make the shield, as the green giant makes a stop in front of her and Ari she manages to make eye contact with him.
"he... doesn't want to be this way" Ruby spoke to Ari quietly letting her magic fade. After a few seconds, the girls heard gunshots being fired as the S.H.I.E.L.D agents finally arrived.
"wait no!-"
"Ruby! you were told to stay hidden!" Dr Strange spoke before his pupil had a chance to explain
"you gotta make them stop! He doesn't wanna be that way. I can feel it-"
"Ruby enough! Both of you get inside now! We'll talk about this later!"
Wanda ordered the girls sternly as she and Stephen continued to help S.H.I.E.L.D drive the new Hulk out of the city.
Later at school.
"What were you thinking! You could've gotten hurt! What if your powers didn't make the shield in time!"
"Well, I didn't! When he came towards us he stopped! The look on his face said everything! I could tell he didn't want to be like that! We could've done something! You guys could've stopped shield from shooting at him! I saw that he didn't want to hurt me! But if you just listened!-"
Ruby took a breath as she pushed her hair back trying to hold her anger in "if you... just listened to me at that point..."
Dr Strange sighed quietly at this as he went to stand by his students' side "Ruby" he started calmly placing a hand on her shoulder gently
"you could've gotten hurt by this new hulk as everyone has started calling him...-"
"But I didn't... that's the point... before everyone started attacking him again we looked at each other and I could tell he didn't want to be that way... It's like he was asking for help..."
Stephen watched the teenager walk away before speaking "Ruby... How about you stay with Ari and Wanda for the rest of the summer holidays and I'll see what I can do about this guy... and it might take your mind off things"
Before the sorcerer could say anything else Ruby hugged him. He just smiled and hugged his pupil back "be good okay"
"I will" Ruby promised before running through the halls to the dorms, her honey blonde hair flowing softly behind her as she went to pack happily.
"Make sure she's safe out there Wanda"
"it'll just be us girls, she'll be fine... I promise" Wanda assured him with a gentle smile "and if anything happens... you'll be the first to know"
AN: I... don't know what else to put so I am going to leave it here for now. Enjoy!