Chapter Eight: Galaxies Far, Far Away

THE MAZZAROTH

Behind Enoch is the swirling backdrop of the quantum realm. Waves of energy course through the atmosphere. Twinkles of light randomly sparkle and disappear. Rays of color materialize and are then swallowed into the sea. Doctor Strange is standing in front of the heroes. His arms are crossed and his face is purposeful and urgent.

Doctor Strange: How did Dormammu discover the Synod?

Enoch: Well, he discovered the quantum realm through meditation and astral projection. Eventually his explorations led him to the discovery of this eternal polarity.

Doctor Strange: How old is he? Is he from earth?

Enoch: Very old and no. He came from another galaxy far away from yours, but he is a part of the human species. His name was Vettius Valens. During his time, he was what you may have referred to as a spiritual master. Vettius would spend weeks in meditation. But despite a complete disregard of his physical needs, he was able to maintain due to a connection or what he termed, "relationship" to energies behind the physical realm. As he continued to unlock this new reality, he learned ways to use those energies similar to your sorceries, Stephen.

Doctor Strange: So, he became a sorcerer?

Enoch: Not exactly. You may think of him more like a monk. He learned how to "feel" the energies around him due to this relationship with that flow of energy and how to manifest it in the physical realm.

Doctor Strange: I'm having difficulty distinguishing the difference.

Enoch: It is very subtle, but much more powerful. Vettius discovered a way to become one with the quantum realm. To merge with it. Not simply bend the energies to his will.

Doctor Strange: What could he do?

Enoch: Move objects similar to the abilities you refer to as telekinesis. He could augment his physical abilities. Jumping and running could become amplified. He could easily track and block fast moving objects. Most importantly, he learned how to "persuade" the thoughts of others just by interfering with the quantum realm.

Doctor Strange: …and this is how he learned…

Enoch: Yes. By bonding himself to the quantum realm he became sensitive to its flow. Not only could he sense when he was in the presence of those who were easily "suggestable", but he was able to sense their feelings as well. This led him to the discovery that anger and emotion imbalance the waves that he felt flowing through him.

Doctor Strange: So, what happened?

Enoch: He used his sensitivity to the quantum realm to identify students who also shared a strong connection. He opened a school and started teaching others how to develop this relationship. But as he became older, Vettius became attached to his physical life. His ego. He was afraid of losing the knowledge he had developed so he started exploring ways to manipulate the quantum realm to extend his life. When his students discovered this, they confronted him because everything he was doing went against what he had taught them. Vettius became enraged with their interference and he attacked them. He slaughtered many of his students, but those that remained rose up against him. They killed him defending themselves and their families. When Vettius' energies transitioned over from the physical realm I noticed it immediately because it was evident that he was able to maintain the structure of his consciousness in this reality…which should be an impossibility. I suspected that his training in the physical realm actually prepared him to prevent being assimilated back into the quantum realm. I also noticed that his energies were very dark and very angry. His death had inadvertently made him more powerful because his consciousness and anger had carried over. I was not able to disperse his energies so I did the only thing available. I banished him to a dark dimension of the quantum realm. From there, he renamed himself Dormammu. In Enochian, this translates to the "dark lord". From that point on, he began attacking the physical realm through subversions to the quantum field. Most of those attacks have been directed towards his galaxy of origin, but that galaxy has become so adept with defending themselves against him that he began to search out other galaxies to attack. He found yours and has been steadily increasing his focus there over the last few ages.

Captain America: You and Baraquiel can't destroy him?

Enoch: Energy can't be destroyed, but our efforts have been directed toward keeping his consciousness and energies locked in the dark dimension. If he can escape from there and back into the physical realm…

Captain America: Got it. Ok, how do we stop him? What are our options?

Doctor Strange: And how did this other galaxy defend against him?

Enoch: Their relationship to the quantum realm was their asset.

Strange looks up as an idea just occurred to him. He slowly glances over to the Hulk.

Doctor Strange: Bruce. You mentioned Bruce Banner when you reached out to me in astral form.

Enoch walks over to the Hulk and stares up at him.

Enoch: I did.

Enoch's gaze never breaks. The Hulk looks uncomfortably at Strange.

Hulk: I really don't know how super strength is going to help here.

Enoch: Bruce Banner, have you ever wondered how the being known as the Silver Surfer was able to transform you back into human form?

Before Hulk can respond, Enoch lightly touches the Syzygy to the Hulk's forehead. Immediately, the Hulk begins transforming back into Bruce Banner.

Hulk: Aghh!

Enoch: Relax. This should not be painful.

Bruce: But…why?

Enoch pulls back the Syzygy. He stares at it.

Enoch: When Galactus destroyed Algol, Eternity had to uphold their bargain by giving him the means of creating a herald who could serve him. Eternity pulled some of the energy from within the Syzgy and gave it to Galactus to use as he wished. Galactus used this energy in transforming Norrin Rand into the Silver Surfer.

Doctor Strange: So how is this energy able to transform Bruce?

Enoch turns to Daredevil.

Enoch: Matthew Murdock. What do you observe in Bruce Banner?

Daredevil walks over in front of Bruce and concentrates quietly for a couple seconds.

Daredevil: He is awash in energies. They are flowing everywhere around him. It is almost as if they are part of him.

Enoch: They are.

Doctor Strange: Gamma radiation?

Enoch: Yes! When Bruce was caught in that gamma explosion, those energies merged with his subtle body. Gamma radiation is a part of the quantum realm. As a result, this accident created a permanent connection from the quantum field to Bruce. But Bruce has never been a very balanced individual, has never been taught how to develop this connection and quantum energy does not manifest effectively within imbalanced individuals.

Bruce: So super strength…the Hulk…is nothing but a dysfunction?

Enoch: It is the way that you have unconsciously manifested this power. Because anger is a perversion of quantum energies, your anger manifested accordingly and became a reflection of that. You became a monster. But if you can fully develop this connection…

Bruce: Then I can confront Dormammu.

Enoch: That is our hope. You are raw power, Bruce. We noticed this when you were bestowed with the Uni-Power years ago.

Bruce: So why didn't you approach me then?

Enoch: Your lack of balance is dangerous. We did not want to accidentally create another entity similar to Dormammu.

Doctor Strange: But now you don't have a choice.

Enoch: Dormammu has forced our hand.

Bruce: So how do I develop this energy? Can Strange teach me?

Enoch: Stephen actually needs a teacher himself. No, you need to journey to the galaxy where this relationship was discovered. You will need to seek out a master who is independent enough to trust his feelings about the urgency and necessity of our situation even if his assistance may contradict the dictates or protocol of his order.

Doctor Strange: How will we get there?

Enoch: The Syzygy allows transport to anywhere in the physical realm via the quantum realm. I can open a portal for you. Baraquiel will accompany you as well.

The team turns to Baraquiel. He hasn't moved since they entered Enoch's study. He stands over all of them, quietly casting a long shadow.

Captain America: Baraquiel is a bit ostentatious. Don't you think he will stand out a bit?

Enoch: Not where I am sending you. This galaxy is very advanced and immersed with others races and species. But your "clothes" ARE a bit ostentatious. You will stand out wearing those. Let's change you into something that is a bit more fitting.

Enoch raises the Syzygy and swirls it twice. The costumes on all the heroes disappear and are replaced with simple cloaked robes.

Enoch: There. Much better.

Enoch turns the staff away from the heroes and points it in front of him. Waves of energy pulse out of the tip slowly creating a tear in the quantum realm. The inside of this portal glows light blue. Enoch glances back at the heroes.

Enoch: Are you ready?

Captain America: I think so. How will we know who we are looking for?

Enoch: I think he will notice you first.

Daredevil: I should be able to recognize the energy patterns. Let's go.

The heroes walk slowly towards the portal with Baraquiel trailing closely behind them. They enter and it seals.

When the heroes come out on the other side they are in a dark home. They are standing on a large, oriental rug. At the end of the room are large glass doors that open to a balcony over-looking a massive city. The city is technologically advanced. Spires, skyscrapers and citadels are everywhere. Cars are flying through the sky. The glow illuminates the room. Sitting on the rug is an older man with a short pony tail. He is in deep meditation.

Older Man: I thought I sensed a disturbance…but I also don't sense you to be a threat. Hello, my friends.

Strange steps forward.

Doctor Strange: I apologize for invading your home. That was not our intention. We are searching for a teacher. A spiritual master who has obtained abilities through a connection to another realm.

Daredevil grabs Strange's arm.

Daredevil: I'm pretty sure that's him.

The man stands up and turns around. He has a goatee. His face is weathered, but strong and aware. His eyes display a confidence that comes from wisdom. He is calm, but his presence evokes kindness and power. He smiles.

Man: What you are referring to is the force. I am the Jedi master known as Qui-Gon Jinn…and I sense that the force has brought us together.