Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay, I wasn't able to update on the weekdays due to work I tried to make time as much as I can to write in my free time.
Also, the one that makes this long is because of the Spider-man trailer that dropped right after I updated my fic. Like….Dr. Strange….-_- turns out he was also responsible for the Multiverse Madness. I got so many hilarious responses on how my Stephen and the MCU Stephen were totally opposite and memes about them. I was laughing and crying at the same time because, on the one hand, it's funny that he is responsible, but on the other hand, I was confused about what would this mean for my fic.
My vision of the fic is to be as MCU as possible and sticking to their character, but after seeing how Stephen seems out of character….I was thinking so much about what must I do with the storyline.
However, there have been theories surfacing where the Stephen in the trailer isn't really Stephen. So, in a way, I was able to breathe easier, so I'm gonna stick with what I built. So, no change of dialogue.
And with Shang-chi out, it made me rewrite a couple of things as well. In my country, Shang-chi isn't out yet since cinemas are not opened yet, and I'm already seeing spoilers EVERYWHERE But the good news about that is, it gave me a little more insights on the future of this fic.
That said, enjoy!
PS, yes, there is post-credit here.
"We're both in the same situation," Wanda blurted out as they were watching the twins training together at the field. Billy throwing rocks at the lake while Tommy speeding through and try to catch each and every throw.
After having a little pep talk with Billy, Wanda appeared. The mother of the twins had a worried face on her, and Sylvie could tell that this is something that perhaps her child shouldn't hear. In her hand holds a black book that looks ancient, it seems that Loki made her read.
Billy went to his mom and greeted her with a hug, and Wanda gave him a forced smile that Sylvie could pick up but not the child. She's unsure if the child could read his mom's mind but it seems that Wanda was able to hide it very well that Billy didn't look like he's disturbed. The Scarlet Witch whispered something to her boy, and he nodded eagerly and went to his brother.
"What's wrong?" Sylvie asked once they were both alone.
"They are after my children for me," Wanda blurted out, then she turned to Sylvie, "And perhaps you as well."
Sylvie blinked, "What do you mean?"
She looked down, "It doesn't matter what war we are in, the person in Billy's memories want my powers," then she looked up to watch her kids, "And he's going to take everyone I care of to get it."
"But I don't get why he wants your children or me if he's trying to get to you," the Goddess of Mischief turned her body to face her, "Is it because we are on your side?"
She shook her head, "For my kids, they are a bargaining chip. As for you, we're still trying to figure out since you saw him."
Sylvie furrowed her brows, "What?"
"It's a theory, that's why you were able to see something else in Billy's memories," she answered, "Loki told us about what you saw and he and Stephen thought of any possibilities that they want my powers."
"About Mephisto and Nightmare, huh?" she remembered Loki talking about it yesterday after discussing his mother.
She nodded sadly and sighed her burden, "I can't believe there are beings from other dimensions after me, and they'd go so far to hurt my kids just for it," she then pulled out the black ancient-looking book to her lap and held it in her hands, "Stephen told me to read a few things about him before we face him one day."
Sylvie leaned a little to look closer, "What is it?"
Wanda opened the book and turned it several pages, "It's personas from different dimensions," she explained, "Stephen said his mentor made records on the different beings she has met in the past," she turned the pages until she stopped at a particular page, the top of the page was in huge characters with the words MEPHISTO, and NIGHTMARE written on it. Those names already made the hair behind her neck stand.
"These are the beings after us?" Sylvie's eyes scanned the pages, it's mostly talking about its history and how the Ancient One placed it back to sleep for eternity.
"Apparently," Wanda looked through the pages, "It wants my 'Power of Wakening'."
"What's that?"
"You know how I….emm…..created my children?" she looked at Sylvie, she nodded, "Yea, that's the kind of power it wants. For it to finally awake fully."
Sylvie pursed her lips, not wanting to imagine what it'd be like if it does fully awake, "Does it say what it'd do if it does?"
"Shapeshift, super strengths, nightmares, and illusions," Wanda read the page, "At least, that's what it wrote so far. Hopefully, there's no more than that."
Sylvie studied the drawing of this being, he looked pretty much like a devil with a cape, "This guy is definitely from hell."
"Looks like it," Wanda murmured, her nervous tone was palpable that it made her heart sank knowing the fact that the Scarlet Witch is also as fearful as her of this entity.
"Did it say how to beat this person?" Sylvie scanned through each paragraph, finding the words that could light a path for them all.
"It only said that the Ancient One was able to seal its abilities and defeated it with dark magic. And that he was more vulnerable in its own origin," she read, "When it became weak, she pulled its own soul connection from its body and placed it into eternal sleep, separating its consciousness entirely. Nothing much about its history, merely a demon." Wanda suddenly looked up slowly, "And that's when Mordo triggered its connection," she murmured, making Sylvie look back at her, "He must've tried to align his consciousness together, that's why Nightmare was triggered."
"How was he able to do that?"
She shook her head, "When we looked into his signature magic and tracked him down, and Stephen read Mordo's documents…"
"Documents?" She tried to understand what it meant by that until she finally clicked, "Oh, you mean the documents from the TVA?"
"Yea, whatever you guys from that organization called it," Wanda answered, "Stephen cross-checked his history and from a man he attacked."
"Someone was attacked?"
She nodded, "He was the last who saw Mordo, one of his last power was to trace the magic on whoever attacked him, and that was how Stephen was able to track him down…..at least, what's left of him."
Sylvie could feel that there is something more to this, "What do you mean, 'what's left of him?"
Wanda then turned to her with wary eyes, and she told her everything, even the part where what she saw in Billy's memories differ from hers. The fact that their enemy is most probably possessed and obtained greater power from this being.
Just by listening to this, Sylvie had to release a tense sigh. This being wanted something from her and Wanda, together with her family.
"So, what now?" Sylvie asked.
"Stephen is preparing his men, and Loki….well," Wanda stuttered, "He had a fight with Stephen."
Sylvie sighed, when will that man ever get himself not into trouble, "What did he do this time?"
"He wanted your freedom," Wanda gave her a warm smile. Sylvie's heart skipped a beat at that knowledge, he was still fighting to get her out. The Scarlet Witch chuckled, "He was adamant, wanting you to be released because there's a chance that Mordo is also after you. But Stephen, well," she sighed, "he was, I suppose, paranoid about you."
Sylvie sighed, of course, he would, "Let me guess, he was afraid that I'd do the same mistake again. Right?"
Wanda pursed her lips as if trying to articulate the right words, "Let's just say, he has trust issues. I guess it started because his friend betrayed him."
Those words again. Trust. Betray. Now she's beginning to understand how infuriating it is for Loki to get her to trust him back when the Multiverse wasn't messed up. She shifted where she sat, taking in the information that Wanda gave her.
"I understand," Sylvie murmured, she still believed that part of this mess was her fault. Perhaps if she'd just listen to Loki, maybe the TVA and the people in Midgard could control this mess better. Fewer things to worry about.
"Hey, it's not your fault," Wanda shifted where she sat to face her, "It's just Stephen being Stephen. He has a dry sense of humor, I think that's why Loki was able to tick him all the time."
She chuckled, "Definitely sounds like him, it's what he did with Mobius too."
Wanda laughed, "Does he always break into a fight whenever anyone wants to be friends with him?"
"Well, I can tell you that our first impression of each other wasn't pretty either," Sylvie remembered the first time he saw him. She knew he was trouble, but eventually, they both reached each other's respect. And one thing led to another.
"My," she smirked, leaning her elbow on her lap and placed her chin on her hand, "How you both grew from there."
Sylvie ducked shyly, not feeling comfortable sharing her relationship with Loki even though pretty much everyone knew it already, "So, umm," she cleared her throat, "Where did he go?"
"He went to return the files he borrowed," Wanda sat up straight, "Honestly, I thought he'd be back by now to come and see you."
"He must be on to something, or he's with Mobius now."
"Ahh, that explains. 'Cuz I'm certain he has a lot to say to you after his little argument with Stephen."
DONG.
But just as she was about to say something, a loud bell rang. It's like the bell from London she heard back then.
DONG.
It rang loud and clear again. The two women looked around, all conversations they had in their heads interrupted. It sounded ominous, something you'd hear in the past when something is about to come.
"What is that?" Sylvie asked, she didn't even know this place had a bell.
"The Sanctum's bell?"
Out of the blue, her twins appeared before them, worry took over their happy faces. "Mom," Tommy squeaked, "What is that?"
"I don't know, baby," She pulled her to sit beside her, "I'm sure it's nothing."
"That never happened before," Billy sat between her and his mother, his hands clasped together warily, "I don't like it."
"I'll go see what's going on, you guys stay here," Wanda stood up and was about to walk out the gazabo until Billy grabbed her hand, making her look back, "Hey, what's wrong, Billy?"
Sylvie turned to look at the boy, he has that same worried face he gave her when he told her about his dreams. The boy's lips quivered a bit, he let go of her hand and looked down, "Nothing, Mom."
Sylvie sensed the boy's distress over his mom's safety, she placed her hand on his back, "It's ok, Billy. Your Mom is just going to take a small look on what's causing all the fuss."
Wanda looked like she gets what Sylvie told Billy, and she kneeled to his eye level, "I promise you, if anything happens, I'll let you know through our minds together. Just like we always do. Yea?"
Billy looked at her, looking a little more confident now, "m'kay, Mom."
The Scarlet Witch smiled at her boy and kissed the top of his head, "Stay here with Sylvie, okay?" And at that, she ran off to the mist door, leaving the three of them behind.
"What do you think was that Sylvie?" Tommy asked.
She shook her head, "Whatever it was, I'm sure it'll be fine." That's a lie. She was trying to let the kids stay calm, but her inner side is creeping with anxiety.
But she had faith that Loki might be able to handle this as well.
"Loki, I just placed those books back on the shelves!" Wong exclaimed with so much irritation in his tone.
To which Loki ignored as he was scanning from one book to another and tossing them on the table swiftly, "Oh please, you all have magic for a reason. You can put it back easily."
Wong grumbled, "It's organized for a reason."
Loki flipped through a couple more pages, "I'll help you later once I found what I'm looking for," and the words that he was looking in the page appeared, "Aha! Eureka!" he quickly brought the book to the table and read while standing up.
"You better be organizing them all back," Wong stated firmly as he placed half of the other books back to where they belong.
Once again, all noises were blocked in his ears as he read the content of the pages.
A soul can wander freely. Just as the Astral production, it can be transferred to an object. Its consciousness from the body will fade and eventually, joins the soul.
A soul can also sleep in another's body. There are two ways: 1) the astral body can wander to the body or 2) to hide from Astral enemies, it can hide in any objects, and whoever touches that object, that soul will reside with that human.
Thus, the body carries two different souls. This concept was introduced from the tesseract, where a weak mind can be manipulated easily. Entities from the dark dimensions are common to perform such acts.
"Was I weak?" Loki swallowed the lump in his throat, remembering the time where he used the Tesseract. Was he not himself when that happened? More importantly, was the voices in his head telling him to invade Midgard not his own? He turned to another page.
In order to release that different soul from the body, one must have a powerful connection to align to the other soul. The bond must be strong in order to awake again.
"Was this how that person was able to trigger its awakening?" Loki asked in his thoughts.
Sometimes a soul can be so weak that a dark entity may be able to possess it. If seen from the Astral dimensions, it will appear as a dark entity enters its body, manipulating one's weak mind. If the soul is very weak, the entity could slip easily into its body and possess it. Connecting its consciousness with the soul.
"This was what Nightmare has been trying to do."
"What in the hell is going on here!" the sound of the annoying sorcerer broke his train of thoughts. The God of Mischief looked up to see Strange's annoyed face looking right at him, "Did a hurricane entered here?"
Loki, now, took the time to scan the library. He had to admit, he had been tossing several books aside to read, but didn't realize that the books that he scattered were nearly covering the entire table. But because he remembered that he was filled with magicians, he only shrugged, "One minute to take out, another minute to return. Relax. The fate of this universe lies in this library. You should be proud I'm reading."
"By reading 'The Book of Theseus?' A book of lost souls?"
"Hey, you never know every bit of information is useful for our next battle."
"All this mess is because of a book about lost souls," he threw his hands up in defeat, "We are in need of preparations should Mordo attack."
"Is he here?"
"No, but judging that Nightmare had a little conversation with Sylvie, he might." He finally said her name.
"Hmm," Loki hummed unimpressed, "Do let me know when you do find him, I'm a little busy here. You know, saving the universe and all. The usual stuff."
"What do you know about saving the universe?"
"Ahh, you know," he leaned back on the table and looked at him, "I've been a villain and a goodie. So, I know well enough which side I am fighting for now. To explain to you as if I were speaking to a child, I am not on Kang's side nor the ghosts we are looking for. Am I clear?"
Strange looked at him skeptically, "For now."
"Good, so we are on the same page," he clapped and smiled, "So you do you, I'll do me."
Strange scoffed, "You're not a serious person, are you?"
Those words were enough to trigger something in Loki, but he managed to control his emotion and looked as if he's unfazed. "I beg your pardon?"
"Don't worry, I've known you well enough to know that you only fight for yourself. Or in this case, for your dearly beloved Sylvie."
"And you are a man of duty," Loki shot back, he's not going to let a mere mortal look down on him. He walked around him, "Not a bad choice, I respect that. You have your glorious purpose, and I am a god without an agenda ever since the TVA took me and I met Sylvie. Don't worry, those days where I want to conquer places now I finally over."
"So, you are now still fighting for yourself," Strange muttered deeply as he approached him, "Still the same god I heard about in the days of New York," Loki stayed silent, he gave him a stone face, doing all he can to not let this prick walk all over him, "And once this is all over, then what? Runoff to find a place to reside? Be a man without duties? Doesn't sound like a god to me."
"Like you?" Loki smirked back, not fazed from the insults given by this petty mortal, "I've heard quite a bit about you too from a friend of mine. Apparently, you were here to have your hands fixed, and here you are now. A supreme sorcerer. Sounds much more fascinating than being called a surgeon, no? And by taking on this purpose, you locked yourself in an old sanctum, leave your beloved lady off on her own. Leaving everyone you knew of your contact list. A lonely journey, isn't it?"
"I have a sworn duty to protect our reality," he stated firmly.
"And how's it going?" Loki slipped his hands into his pocket, "Or must I remind you that you allow your Parker boy to let lose his other variants of himself from a little magic joyride. And this time, New York wasn't threatened by me, but the Multiverse that you didn't bother to check thoroughly."
"That effect was all together tinkered by Sylvie killing Kang."
"And you couldn't even see that coming either. Didn't you say that you had a list of potential threats to your world?"
"We couldn't see a damn thing after the multiverse finally entered our picture."
"Oh, blame it on-"
DONG.
A large roar of a huge bell shook the entire place, disrupting everyone. The three of them looked up, processing the sound of the loud alert.
DONG.
It rang again.
DONG.
It repeatedly struck a loud noise that could shake the earth.
"Church time?" Loki raised an eyebrow sarcastically.
"No," Wong chimed in, making him realize that the Master Librarian has been here the entire time, "It's a signal of an attack."
"New York," Strange muttered.
The sound of running steps broke their attention away from the bell, the men turned to find Wanda entering the library, "What's happening?"
"There's an attack in one of our Sanctum in New York," Strange strides towards an area in the library where there are three huge ancient doors, his odd cloak floated and hung itself on his shoulder. Loki and Wong followed, "If this is Mordo, I want your twins to be here. Preferably hidden, where are they now?"
"They are with Sylvie," she panted, striding beside the sorcerer.
"Good, keep them there. Make sure they stay there until one of us fetch them."
"I'll tell Billy," Wanda's eyes flashed red and scarlet aura began to float around her, seemingly to do her magic to tell her son about this. A few seconds later, the color of her eyes returned normal, "Done."
Loki strides beside Strange, "Where is your Sanctum in London?"
"We'll go through one of the doors here," he stated. A few moments later, the other mystic magicians joined behind them. Strange turned his head, but not looking at Loki and Wanda, "Suit up, you two."
Loki turned to Wanda, and nodded, "You heard the old doctor," he can feel Strange rolled his eyes.
With a snap of his fingers, his tunic robe turned into his Asgardian armor. Wanda's casual hoodie and jeans turned to into her Scarlet Witch armor.
All the magicians are ready to face Mordo, and possibly, Nightmare.
The first time Billy felt this worried was when he heard Dad screaming in his head. He had never felt so much fear for his family.
And now, his mom is going after whoever is attacking the magician's sanctums.
"What, Billy?" Tommy asked, "What did Mom say?"
Billy looked back at his twin brother and Sylvie, "Someone attacked the New York Sanctum."
Sylvie's eyes went wide, and Tommy looked at her, "We have to help them!"
"Mom said to stay here," Billy mumbled what his mom told him, then he looked up to Sylvie, "That we should stay with you if anything happens."
Sylvie nodded, the child can feel her anxiety, "Is your mother with someone to accompany her?"
Billy nodded and sat beside her, "Loki and Doctor Strange are with her, and Mom said with some of the other people here."
Sylvie then gave him a kind smile and strokes his hair, "Then you have nothing to worry about."
This he can believe. The child of the Scarlet Witch could feel her feelings, and he can feel her confidence in his mom. And especially with Loki coming along with Mom, he can feel that she believed Loki will have mom's back. Perhaps having Loki as their teacher was a great idea after all.
Billy smiled back at her, "When I grow up, my magic will be strong enough to fight with my mom," to which Sylvie gave him a warm smile.
"Me too," Tommy chimed in beside him, making him turn to his twin, who is as pumped as he is, "I'll be so fast they won't see me coming at all, and the battle will be over before they could even start."
"Is that so?" Another voice suddenly echoed the cell from the doors, a deep menacing tone. The three of them stopped dead and looked around to find the source. Billy's heart sank at the unfamiliar voice, fearing of who might it be.
Sylvie suddenly brought him closer to her side and pulled Tommy on her other side, and they all ran out of the gazabo. She then leaned into him, "Billy, can you feel who was it?"
Billy concentrated to feel who it was while still standing close to Sylvie as she placed her hand on his shoulder, he let his energy flow and reach out to this stranger. When his powers reached beyond the doors, he felt someone. Someone was completely strange with dark energy flowing in him, but he couldn't make out who that person was.
His ears suddenly heard loud ear-piercing screeches, snapping his connections with his powers. The boy staggered back in shock and fell on his rear, startled by what he just heard.
Billy panted, heart beating so fast it's like it's going to explode. This feeling, it was the same when he saw that person during the last battle.
"Billy!" Sylvie quickly knelt beside him, "Are you ok?"
Tommy joined in, he looked at him frantically, "Are you ok, Billy? What happened?"
Billy shook his head, trying to recover from the shock. He felt this familiar dark power before. It seems he had been too optimistic that everything would be fine. He looked back at the entrance, the other followed where his eyes pointed, "It's him."
From the entrance, they can all hear heavy footsteps approaching them ever so slowly like a predator. Sylvie immediately stood up and stand in front of them. Tommy helped him up on his feet.
A tall shadowy figure appeared through the mist and showed itself. Billy's heart sank at the sight of the figure.
There before them, stood a tall black man with menacing magician robes. Similar to Dr. Strange's but it was dark, he had a cape like him too, but it's dark green like Loki's. And his eyes are red like Moms. The man grinned at them, "Hello, there."
Stephen didn't know what to feel, he's going to meet the man who helped him become the person he is today. All in a terrible way. How very sad, but it has to be done. He had chosen his path.
When they all arrived at the New York Sanctum, all seems calm. As if nothing had happened. However, the destroyed alcoves and scattered bookshelves said something else. They were just here moments ago. The group strides to the center of the Sanctum, examining any anomalies.
"What happened here?" Wanda whispered.
"You know," a voice that different voice from the group chimed from the stairs, making them turn to the source, it's Kang, sitting casually at the stairs, "For a sanctum full of the stuff of ancients and holy, I can't seem to find anything about wands or getting myself into Hogwarts."
Stephen and his sorcerers summoned their circular mystic magics, ready to attack. Wanda and Loki released powerful energies flowing around them.
"Hey, relax," he chuckled and stood up, "I just want to talk. Ya' know, a chit-chat."
"What do you want," Wong asked defensively, his magic ready to attack.
"I know that you know about our little existence with another friend," he chuckled, "And that you want to stop this multiverse war thing. Well, so do I." He placed his hands on his chest.
"Save your breath, you want the Power of Wakening," Loki growled, "The last time we had a chit-chat, you caused a whole multiverse to branch,"
"Ah-ah, that wasn't me," He raised his index finger and waved left and right, "That was your girlfriend, I only told the policy, did no such thing. And yea was hoping if I could borrow that wakening power."
"I'm giving you no such things," Wanda spat, "Not to the one who expanded timelines and create branches."
Kang opened his mouth and then closed it before making a strange face, as if caught red-handed, "Okay, that's on me. BUT," he raised his index finger again, "in my defense, we were determining which reality must exist. Didn't you mess with that too, sweetheart?"
"I did no such thing."
"Hmmm, you brought back your dead husband, your children, your little sitcom lives…." Kang mockingly listed her creations.
Stephen can see that Wanda was ready to burst, her teeth already showing. He held his arm in front of her, "Wanda, control your emotions." Wanda looked at him with red eyes, understanding his intention, and nodded in acknowledgment. Stephen turned back to Kang, who is still looking at them mockingly, which irritates him as well, "Where is Mordo?"
"Oh, your little friend that used to be one of you? Hmmm, no can do. Last I heard he was visiting another multiverse to beat meet my other variants. I don't know where he went after he told me to destroy the New York Sanctum."
Stephen clenched his fists harder, "Not unless we destroy you first."
"Ho-ho, I guess we can't chit-chat," he raised both his arms, and suddenly his purple robe began to shift like nanotech, and it soon became armor. Stephen could've sworn he saw a carbon copy of Iron Man. "Ring any bells?"
Stephen raised his mystic armors, "Here he comes," the rest of his companions began to prepare what's coming.
Kang sneered and raised his arms to all of them, "Try dodging this," from his armored hands appeared a pair of the white blasts, heading straight towards them. Stephen waved his hands quickly and summoned his defense shield, the rest of the sorcerers did the same.
The blast rebounded, but the impact was so great that it threw them off their feet. Some were knocked to the wall and down to the ground, some were blasted out the door. Stephen was knocked to the ground, he couldn't see what happened to Wanda and Loki.
"Get up, Stephen," Wong shook him, "We need to protect the Sanctum."
Stephen groaned, getting back up to his feet. He looked up the stairs to find where that Kang went. And he's already occupied.
Wanda and Loki were both fighting him, pushing him away from them all. Some of his sorcerers, the ones who maintained the attack, joined them. Wanda released blasts after blasts of red energy, to which Kang deflected easily. The others used their magic to push and hit his flesh. Loki was slashing his levitating swords and daggers, but the variant was able to block that as well with his armor shields. He's definitely a carbon copy of Stark, but with more advanced weapons.
"Oh, please, that all you got?" Kang laughed manically, his shield then turned to a sword, "My turn," his tone suddenly turned dark, and slashed his blade at them both. Loki and Wanda managed to create their shields just in time, but the impact was as equally strong as before and threw them down the stairs. The rest that didn't summon their shield in time were blasted so far that it knocked them unconscious. Some were up, but the attack was too great for them to sustain.
Stephen responded quickly, he created his mystic stepping for them to prevent their fall. Wanda and Loki landed on his magic and got to their feet swiftly. Loki nodded his thanks, so did Wanda, "Thanks."
Stephen nodded, "He's more powerful than the last we defeated."
"His variants must've studied our powers," Wanda said.
"We have to get him out the sanctum," Loki looked around, examining the state of the messy sanctum, "Or he'll destroy your little temple."
"I have an idea, but keep close," he said before waving his hands and opened another dimension.
"Oh, I hate this part," Loki muttered. Soon enough, all of them are in the Mirror Dimension.
Kang walked down the stairs and realized what he had done, "Ah the Mirror Dimension," he laughed, "Always wanted to know what that place looks like."
Stephen didn't waste another minute and summoned his mystical whip and lashed at Kang. Only for the variant to grab it easily, "Oh, please."
But Stephen anticipated this, and with all his might, he pulled the whip and threw him out the door and to the streets of New York. He turned to Wong, "Wong, we are going to need reinforcements."
The Master of Librarian nodded, and he created his own portal and left them all, "Hold on," he shouted back before disappearing.
Stephen nodded, "Come on," he ran out to the door.
Only to be gritted by a flying car.
"LOOK OUT," Wanda shouted, and she stepped right in front of the men and enveloped the car with her own magic, red aura enveloped the vehicle. The Scarlet Witch swiftly waved her hands and carefully threw the vehicle aside.
Before another blast hit her square on the chest this time, sending her flying and knocked to the wall and to the ground, "WANDA!" Stephen shouted. The Scarlet Witch groaned, trying to get back up.
Loki lunged towards Kang, a levitating sword in hand, and threw it at Kang. The variant was able to destroy it with his blast, the God dodged the coming attack. He quickly summoned more weapons floating around him and dashed towards him, all his blades pointed at him and charged.
But Kang produced another shield to protect him.
Stephen took this chance to summon lightning from his hands and towards Kang. But that too was useless as Kang's armor seems to just absorb them, "Thanks for paying my taxes," the variant sneered, and his shield lit up and blasted Loki away from him.
The god of Mischief flew back, but he was able to regain his steps.
Kang chuckled, "You think I don't know what my other variants faced? I knew who defeated them, and I took those data to prevent whatever super strength y'all have against me."
Suddenly, Wanda appeared behind Kang and produced a red mist in her hand and slapped it to his mind, "Study this then," she spat. His eyes turned scarlet, clearly under the spell of the Scarlet Witch. Stephen thought that that would work, but it didn't. Mere moments later, Wanda's eyes turned green, and she staggered back in pain. As if a great headache took over her, she screamed in agony and fell on her knees, clutching on her head to ease the pain but it didn't seem to help enough.
"Ah yea," Kang suddenly seemed to regain his consciousness fast, his eyes returned normal, "Nightmare warned me about that. How naughty, prying other people's heads. Don't you know anything about privacy?"
"So, it's true," Loki growled, "You are working together with Nightmare?"
"Excellent, deduction, Loki," he jeered, "He's a friend of Mordo, warned me a few things about the Scarlet Witch."
"Where is Mordo?" Stephen demanded.
Kang only shrugged, "I told you, I don't know. I'm no psychic." Suddenly, there was a beeping sound of a ringtone, "Oh, s'cuse me," he sheepishly smiled, "I think this is him," and he tapped the armor on his hand. Stephen furrowed his brows, is this guy for real? Kang then turned to them all, "Perhaps you might want to hear this, I'll put it on loudspeaker." And he tapped a button on his armor and a crackling voice filled the air, "Ey, Mordo, my bud. Where you at?"
"Is the Sanctum destroyed?"
"Almost," Kang replied back, "and you?"
"I'm at Kamar-taj," What? "When you are done, get back here. It seems that these sorcerers are quite persistent. But I have found the children and the goddess of mischief you spoke of."
"Ahh, alrighty. I guess playtime is over. I'll see you in two minutes," then he ended the call.
"You were distracting us?" Stephen shouted in frustration.
"Nahh, my job is to really destroy your temple. Honestly, it takes so much space for an abandoned museum that no one goes into." Loki gritted his teeth in fury, and he immediately tried to open a portal, "Sorry, can't let you do that," he raised his hands and blasted a huge fireball at him. Loki saw it coming and dodged the attack, the portal disappeared before he could even open it properly.
"Son of a bitch," Loki growled.
"Ooo, language, god. Geez, that's the mouth you spoke to your mother," Kang immediately turned wide eyes, "Oh wait, you have no mother. I wonder why."
"KANG!" Loki lost it, this was the first time he had seen him this mad. And he charged at Kang like a bull.
Stephen joined in, and whipped at Kang, tying him together, giving Loki the chance to give the finishing blow. Only for Kang's head armor to shoot out lasers out of his eyes. Loki jerked to the side and dodged the new attack.
"Oh ho, it worked," Kang whooped with a sick joy, "I saw this variant that could shoot lasers out of his eyes, made that as my invention inspiration."
"Gods, SHUT UP!" Loki shouted in fury and threw his daggers at him.
But Kang managed to dodge them easily with his armored rocket boots. He didn't notice one was able to prick his cheek, spilling blood, only when the pain became apparent, he realized that Loki got him. "Ahh, you are quite skilled with that stuff, I'll give you that."
Stephen knew that they may not be a match for him, his advanced techs are overpowering them. They have to escape as soon as possible. He tried to create a portal.
But it was too late, Kang noticed it. His head armor beeped something and in an instant, something exploded nearby, and he was sent flying, nearly hitting a van if his cape didn't catch him. He landed smoothly and safely.
"Y'all ain't going nowhere," Kang chuckled darkly, "I'll kill y'all here if I must, and then," he turned to Wanda, who is recovering from whatever vision she was given to see, "And then, your powers are mine. And no one can tell me which reality I can't live in anymore."
As he said that, his armor began releasing small metal balls and they clattered to the ground. The ball suddenly began to mechanically shift, popping out from its ball form and into little robots. These robots also had canons ready in their mechanical hands, some were pointing at them, and the rest are creating a similar portal….possibly to the real world.
This must be Mordo, it has to be. His dark energy felt familiar, just like when she saw Billy's memories. He has the same menacing powers and a similar figure. She can't believe that he just had to appear at the worst timing where her powers are negated and without Loki nor Wanda, or even Strange.
First, she has to get the children to safety.
Billy, Sylvie called to the boy in her mind, who suddenly looked at her, I know you can hear me.
Loud and clear, he replied back.
Keep looking ahead so that he knows we are not communicating, Billy looked back to the strange man in front of them, If he attacks, I want you to take your brother and find your mother. Don't come for me until you are with them.
But what about you? he cried back.
I'll be fine, just tell your brother to run as fast as possible and find your mother. She then stopped formulating her thoughts to him and straightened her back, facing the man, "How did you get past the guards?"
"They were busy with my other illusions," he answered.
"What do you want," Sylvie stated to the man, still holding the children close to her.
"A lot of things," the man said, his voice was filled with two people. A dark and light tone, it's as if he was possessed, "But mainly, for people like you to disappear."
"Even if it means killing children?"
"I came here for one thing," he said, "It's either one of you, just one will do just fine."
"That's not an option," Sylvie spat, "I'm afraid you have to leave. You're not welcome here."
"Not until I get what I want," he walked slowly towards them, Sylvie immediately shifted where she stood so that he cannot see the twins, "I have someone I need to awaken, and I need the Power of Wakening to make that happen."
"You are literally going to make all hell to break loose," she shot back.
"Ahh, a small price to pay for the greater good," he replied, his hands began to glow menacingly, dark green mists circulating his arms. His hands formed the circular mystic circles like Strange's, with the exception it's black, and it's centered glowed as if charging for an attack at them, "And it looks like I'm going to have to take it by force."
Sylvie immediately took both boys' arms and ran to the field. Sure enough, a huge blast was fired behind them, missing them by an inch. "Run, run as fast as you can," she quickly told them, "Find your mother, use the back door."
Tommy looked at her with fear and concern, "But what about you?"
"I'll be fine," she lied, how can she fight him without her powers? "It's too dangerous here, you have to leave, or you'll both be killed. Go now!"
"But…" Billy tried to reason.
"GO!" she shouted in desperation, and without missing a beat, Tommy grabbed his brother's hand and zoomed out of the cell.
"Ever the noble goddess," Mordo chuckled, "I suppose you know who I am for you to know that I'm a threat to you."
"Heard a few things about you," she prepared a battle stance, if only she had her sword, she should've asked Tommy to zoom in fast for that, "No good things about you, I assure."
"Ahh, of course," he began circling her, she followed his direction," After all, I betrayed them. But I'm sure you're familiar with that. After all, all Lokis does."
"Don't call me that," She spat, getting really irritated that she's compared to all other Lokis.
"Denying who you are, I see," he chuckled, "No matter, I came to end what I thought I believed to be right, and it turned out to be lies. All these sorcerers are perverting the use of magic, using the very things we are sworn to fight against, and now here we are," he looked at her straight in the eye, "I have told Strange that this would happen, that if someone were to meddle with space and reality, the multiverse would open. And here you are, everywhere you go, the universe is all in the brink of war. Finding which reality can stand and who gets to live in them."
"Where I came from and what I did has nothing to do with what Strange did."
"Yes, but part of it was also his doing," he said, "Which is why, I need your powers," he pointed straight at her, "Together, we can end this Multiverse of Madness. We can end this war, all multiverses will be aligned and all nexus-beings get to live in the timeline they deserve."
"By unleashing hell itself?" Sylvie questioned.
"HE is the only key to stop this," he shouted, suddenly losing his patience, but that didn't let Sylvie startle her, "LOOK AROUND YOU," he spread his arms, "Do you think these sorcerers are doing their job to protect whatever timeline there is? To protect mystic wars? No, because Kang controlled it. He is the one who can control the realities of the universes, that's why he offered you to take his steed. That's why he was the only one who stopped the Multiverse war, not the supreme sorcerers. While the so-called Mystic wielders? They don't know that. They don't even create the TVA, nor knew their existence. They are not even responsible for anything in the first place. You don't even know their true purpose here but to pervert magic. YOU," he pointed at her, "of all people, should know how that feels. To have everything you ever believed in, erased. Life robbed all for the name of duty. Snuffed out."
Sylvie stayed silent, taking in what he said. What he said has truth, the TVA did erase her reality. All her life was robbed just because of the jeopardy of the sacred timeline.
She shook her head, but if that never happened, you'd never have the friends you have now. Wanda, her twins, Mobius, and Loki. Oh, Loki. She looked back at him, "Even if that's true, bringing the most dangerous being to destroy people is not a choice. That's a massacre."
"As I said, a small price for the greater good."
"Then I'm sorry," she stood firm, "Our interest is not aligned."
He sighed, "You leave me no choice then," his hand glowed dark green again, "I wish there was another way, we could've been good friends."
"I doubt that," she prepared for flight.
"So be it," Mordo whipped his hand and threw the energy ball.
Sylvie dodged it and charged towards him. She threw her punches on him, trying to hit his vital points. Damn, if only I have my powers. Mordo was able to dodge and block her attacks, he was swift and agile, just like she is. But Sylvie is at a disadvantage, Mordo could cast spells and she had to be cautious when he cast them.
Soon, he began to notice her absent magic, "Where is your magic?"
"Don't need it," she immediately responded. She hopped back and lunged at him, throwing him a kick to his chest, staggering him back, making him cough.
"Hmm, a lost magician," Mordo muttered, "How very sad. Locked by the very person you sided with."
"SHUT UP," she charged back at him, preparing to give him an uppercut.
But Mordo responded faster, as she lunged at him again, he disappeared. Sylvie gasped, she skittered to a stop and looked around. Where did he go?
Suddenly, a sharp impact hit her back, knocking the breath out of her. Sylvie was knocked to the ground, struggling with her vision and breathing. But she couldn't properly function as she was pulled back by her collar, forcing her to stand up on her feet.
Mordo then grabbed her neck and lifted her up, making her hard to breathe. She clawed at the hand grabbing her neck, doing all she can to break free but to no avail. He's going to choke me, she realized.
"Did you remember the last thing I told you," Mordo's voice turned high pitched now, as if it's no longer him speaking to her but someone else, she can see his eyes began to glow yellow like an animal, "I told you I'd bring all your nightmares back, didn't I? But be grateful, your other half won't repeat the same death and witness it," he hissed like a snake as he closed his fist, making her choke on the air, cutting out the air supply, "It'll just be you."
She couldn't breathe in any longer, her lungs are spasming, her ears ringing and her eyes felt like it's going to pop. Everything hurts. She'll soon run out of the last thing she could think of was her last time with Loki. Forgive me, Loki.
Suddenly, something loud pierced the air, and the hand gripping her let go. She dropped to the ground and immediately inhaled as hard as she can to replace her lost air supply, her brain is still in need of air to piece together what's going on.
"Sylvie! Sylvie!"
She slowly opened her eyes, tried to adjust to her surroundings but was still unable to function properly. Everything is blurry. She groaned in pain as she tried to ease her restrained muscles and smoothen her neck pain, her eardrums are still ringing.
"Sylvie, wake up!" This time, she is able to make out two figures…..no, three. Are there three Mordos?
"Sylvie, you gotta wake up! He's coming again!" One of the figures, a small one, grabbed her shoulders and shook her repeatedly, making her senses come back slowly again. She can hear sparks of magic erupted somewhere.
"Wha-, what… where…, please ….stop…..," she groaned in pain.
"Slowly, champ, she's still in pain," The other figure intervened, he looks bigger than the other two. Immediately, the shaking stopped, and someone helped her push her back up to sit up, "Hey, Sylvie? Can you hear me?"
This time, she can hear properly. His voice is familiar, the same voice who helped back at the void… She turned to face him, his face is still a little blurry, but she recognizes his facial features, "Mo…Mobius?"
"Oh, thank goodness we were on time," Mobius sighed in relief while continuing to help her up her feet. He then brought her arm on his neck and lifted the side of her stomach a bit. Someone did the same to her other side, "Are you alright?"
She coughed loudly, "Why are you here?"
"Saw a huge anomaly in the time branch at the headquarters," he walked her out of the field, "Brought a couple of teams with me, and found the twins alerting me for help when we arrived."
Sylvie turned to her other side and found Billy doing his best to use his magic to lift her up so that she can walk easily, "Thank you."
The boy nodded, "You're welcome."
"We need to get you out of here fast," Mobius exclaimed as another explosion far behind occurred. Sylvie looked back to see the sorcerers here and the Minutemen fighting Mordo, "Preferably far away from here."
"I can't go anywhere, Mobius," she croaked, "I'm stuck here until one of those magic fools release me."
"Not unless we go through a portal," he stated as he pulled out his tempad, "I'll take you to the TVA."
"NO, DON'T!" she exclaimed fearfully, making her friend look at her in confusion. She remembered how Nightmare was able to reach out to her through Billy's memories, and if it's true, he can locate her easily just like today, "If Mordo knows where the TVA is, he'll use every document you all have to his advantage and kill us all."
"That's ridiculous, the TVA is beyond space and time."
"Not if Kang is on his side," Sylvie replied back as best as she can, "You may be able to be well-hidden for now, but if the advanced Kang knows your whereabouts, we are all doomed."
"Fine, so where should we go?"
"Out of this cell then."
"Alright," he opened his tempad quickly and typed a few things…..
"LOOK OUT!" Tommy cried.
Another explosion blasted behind them, sending them off their feet and separating them. Sylvie was bracing for impact until something blue enveloped her, landing her safely down the ground and on her knees.
Sylvie leaned on her palm to leverage her balance, she looked around to see Billy on the ground at the other side, still able to maintain his powers while balancing everyone from the impact. Loki taught him well. She nodded, "Thanks."
He nodded back, "No problem."
Sylvie stood on her knees, scanning her surroundings, everything is a wrack. Her gazabo was destroyed, along with everything inside there, the fields are partially on fire and soots were gliding in the air. Everything Loki built for her, gone in a snap.
"You are not going anywhere, Sylvie Laufeydottir," the combined voice of dark and high pitch echoed, making them all turn to the figure, "You will eventually fight by my side, and awaken the Great Mephisto!"
The dark sorcerer looked way different now, his cloak looked more menacing like a vampire, and his eyes are bulging red, as if ready to burst. His teeth turned canine-like, and his dark magic began to overflow him like polluted water poisoning fresh clean water.
Loki, where are you? She pleaded desperately.
I know you might think that Scarlet Witch should've been able to kick Kang's arse easily but hear me out!
I was re-watching a couple of scenes of Wanda and noticed that her powers are mostly manipulations of memories, telekinesis, and casting energy spells. But the part on what she did to West view, that's mind control to the entire city, and I'm pretty sure by now she had learned her lesson about erasing people's memories for her own. Though for the part of Thanos vs Wanda, her advantage was the objects around her. However, since they are fighting in New York, cars are pretty much the only advantage for her, which Kang has as well.
Plus, at this point, Wanda is still learning what she's capable of. This is why she was reading the Book of Chaos in WandaVision (And a part-time mother). I don't think she knows how to crush metal yet at this point.
Ultimately, Thanos is still stronger than Kang. But he's got a bigger brain. I read that Kang is also a genius with tech, and he too knows how to deal with what reality is real to him. So, this Kang had gathered data from other Kangs of their own demise, and thus, he was able to resist Wanda…for now.
So in a way, it's like those RPG games where magicians are more immune to their own species but not people with physical powers.
Loki, on the other hand, is also learning what he's capable of. Remember, he's the 2012 Loki. He is mostly into physical attacks of swords and all.
Stephen as well, he may be a supreme sorcerer, but he was still a student when Kaecilius attacked. Aaaaand the Time Stone is gone.
At least, that's my thoughts. Let me know what you think about their abilities. Do you think I miss something? Especially Kang's?
Honestly, I didn't catch up with the comics, had to read them from wiki. In Asia, Mangas are more promoted than American comic books. So, really, I knew Marvel from movies. Sorry. I try to stick to the comics as best as I can and understand the vision Stan Lee and Jack Kirby had for each and every of their characters.
Oh, and after seeing Shang-chi and spoiled myself, sadly (no spoilers here, don't worry), I was almost tempted to erase his character in the previous chapter, but he's so embedded in it that I couldn't do it. He plays a great role for Loki, so I couldn't bring myself to do it.
So, after rewrites of plans, I found a way to fit him into the Shang-chi and Dr. Strange 2 timeline.
So...let me know what you guys think! Leave your thoughts! I wanna know if the flow seems okay as I try to align it to the MCU with the current infos we have now.
Anyways, here's the post-credit scene :D
Wanda blasted another robot with her energy ball, while also blocking another blast from Kang. This battle is far different than her battle with Agatha, he is powerful because of his armor, "His technology is far worse than Starks."
"Oh, now you're telling me that?" Loki shouted back as he slashed a car coming at him, "He has all the data of your precious friends it seems."
"Our magic is immune to him," Stephen added while defending them with his mystic shields, "Where is Wong?"
And just as he said that the sound of the familiar portal sparked beside them and suddenly, something fast flew towards Kang and bounced straight to his forehead, staggering the intellectual man and tripped him off his balance.
Something swooped out of the portal like the object….no…someone swooped out of the portal, wings at his back. That person glided up and caught the object that hit Kang and adjusted it at his arm. He flew up and did a backflip to land on top of a vehicle, one of his legs kneeled and the other bent. His wings folded mechanically, and he then stood up straight, looking at Kang.
Wanda squinted to see the figure, and just by looking at the star on that shied, she knows who it was. But that person holding the shield wasn't Steve.
It's Sam!
He gave her a salute, the way Steve used to do, "Need a hand?"
Wanda couldn't believe it, she couldn't help but grin widely. He took Steve's shield, she thought.
"Are you holding on?" Another voice appeared, from the portal. Wanda turned to the portal.
And found Bucky, Thor, and Peter behind Wong.
Peter's metal mask disintegrated mechanically, revealing his face. The young teen then turned to Stephen, who looked as shocked as her, "I told you I should've stayed!"