In an car just beyond the event horizon of weirdness that the town of Westview had become, Agnes opened her eyes. It was night. Just before dawn, actually, judging by the blue glow to the east. Which was weird, because in the town it had just barely been mid morning.

She found her phone and sent a text to her boss.

I'm out. I can officially report that this is crazy.

A response came a minute later.

I want details in person. I'm in New York.

Agnes stepped out of her car, looked around to assure herself there was absolutely no one around, and opened a swirling portal. She stepped through it to the sanctum.

"What have you found?" Doctor Strange asked as he walked up to her, his cloak billowing behind him.

Agnes rubbed her forehead for a moment, wishing she had time to process this before giving a report. But time could be an issue. "A pocket dimension. I was able to find its source: Wanda Maximoff."

"Maximoff," Strange said. "That's unexpected. I didn't know she was powerful enough to create something like this. Did she recognize you?"

"No. To be fair, the only time she could have seen me was when we were all fighting Thanos, and she was pretty preoccupied at the time. But also, I think...she doesn't really understand what's going on. I've been able to get close to her and talk to her, and I really don't think she knows what she's doing."

Doctor Strange raised an eyebrow. "You're saying she somehow created a pocket dimension that enveloped an entire town on accident?"

"She didn't just create a pocket dimension; she's controlling it. And everyone in it. Everyone's...I don't want to say 'brainwashed', but it's like the laws of the universe she created make it physically impossible to have a bad thought. If you even try to think something worrying, or sad, or mean...it just kind of gets sucked away. Everyone's nice all the time. It is weird. And time isn't passing right in there. It's jumping around. According to my phone, I was there for nine hours, but in there it was weeks. Maybe years. It's literally hard to tell."

"Interesting. I'm guessing something happened that made her have a mental breakdown. It makes sense that after everything she's been through she'd want to create a world where nothing else terrible can happen. But to control a pocket universe, she would need to expend power constantly. It doesn't make sense that she's been able to keep it up this long. She can't be doing it alone."

"If she has a source of power she's drawing from, I haven't been able to find it. I've searched her house a couple of times when she and her husband were out."

"Her husband?"

"It seems in her private universe, she's revived Vision. They're always together and just mooning over each other." Agnes pretended to gag. "He seems conscious, but it's hard to tell. Neither of them seem to be able to remember what happened or how they got there. Everyone's like that. People remember having friends and family outside the town, but they're vague on how long its been since they've called or visited. But everyone thinks everything's just peachy. It's a complete nightmare."

"I wonder if someone's directing Wanda Maximoff, playing her along with everyone else."

Agnes shook her head. "If that's the case, I didn't see any evidence of it. I've watched Wanda use her power to alter the world."

"Does she suspect you?"

"No," Agnes laughed lightly. "I don't think she's in a headspace to suspect anyone. I've always thought no one who acts relentlessly cheerful all the time can be completely sane."

"As soon as you're up to it, I need you back in there. Try to find whatever's powering the pocket dimension. It might not be in the house; it could be anywhere."

Agnes nodded unhappily. "You still working on that interdimensional invasion thing?"

"Yes. It's more serious than I initially thought. If my suspicions are correct..." He shuddered. "Let's just say I hope I'm wrong."

"But the point is, you're busy, and I'm on my own in there."

"Basically, yes. So be careful Clea."