WARNING! THIS CHAPTER AND THE NEXT FEW ONES WILL HAVE SPOILERS FOR DOCTOR STRANGE 2: MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE MOVIE YET AND DO NOT WISH HAVE IT SPOILED THEN PLEASE SEE THE MOVIE BEFORE CONTINUING TO READ.
"Hap, get Pepper and Morgan out of here." I ordered as I activated the Voltess suit.
"Got it." I heard Happy say behind me.
My eyes saw through the lenses of the suit as it grew over my eyes. My suit hasn't changed two much except for some major upgrades. For one, I had installed the nano tech board at the soles of my feet that Tony had made. It took time to combine the nano tech and vibranium together but with help from Shuri it was made possible. I could use the nano tech to form my board with a simple thought. If I needed to get faster I could easily make the nano tech just cover the soles of my feet without the drag of the board. I no longer had to use up my stored charge in order to fly. The nano tech had flight thrusters similar to the Iron Man suit. Of course it was powered by an Arc reactor.
The Arc reactor resided on the center of my utility belt. Tony had designed it to power the nano tech. The Arc reactor was circular in shape and this one had a metal 'V' in the middle of it. The Arc reactor also acted as a battery for me. I could constantly keep a steady charge of electricity flowing through me with it. I didn't have to worry about using my powers too much and shorting out in mid fight anymore.
The last upgrade was stored on my arms. It was purely meant for defense and not offense. Shuri had put Wakandian barrier technology into my suit. It would form a shield that I could use to block incoming blunt attacks.
I gripped the metal railing and flipped myself over as the nano board formed under me. The nano board matched the rest of my suit's color scheme. The majority of it was black with deep purple lightning bolts going across the top of the board. The flight thrusters turned on and I shot off in the direction of the chaos.
I ducked as a yellow taxi cab was thrown over my head. I quickly shot a stream out and caught the cab before it crashed onto the people below. I looked back over and frowned under my mask. I was seeing the destruction but I couldn't see what was causing it.
"Athena, can you see anything?" I asked the AI.
"Afraid not, Mel. Nothing is picking up on my scanner." This had to be magic of some sort.
My eyes landed on the teenager I saw running earlier. I could see she had a jean jacket with stars on it. She couldn't have been much older than maybe fourteen. She ran for cover into a bus. The bus then got squeezed in the middle and began to get picked up.
"What the hell is happening?!" I yelled as I sent a stream of electricity at the bus. I frowned seeing my electricity hit something that wasn't the bus. What did I just hit?
I let out a cry as I suddenly felt something hit my side. I moved the nano board to only cover the soles of my feet. I increased the thrusters to stop myself from crashing into the ground.
"Mel!" I looked up hearing my name. My mask dropped as I saw Stephen Strange floating down to me.
"Hey, what are you doing over here? The Sanctum's on the other side of town." I asked in confusion.
"I was at a wedding then this happened. I saw you got hit by apparently nothing." I scoffed as my nano board formed back and I hovered above the ground.
"It sure didn't feel like nothing. Athena can't pick it up on scanners. I think this is more of your area of expertise." I informed him.
"I think you may be right." Magic circles appeared over Stephen's hands. He did something with his magic because in an instant I was staring at a giant tentacle eye monster.
"Holy shit!" I yelled seeing the monster. I could hear the people around us screaming in horror. People that were once confused about what was happening were now running for it. I do not blame them one bit.
The bus began to magically be taken apart, "Mel, grab the girl!" Stephen ordered.
I changed the nano board back to my feet as the flight thrusters sent me flying towards the bus. The girl was hanging on the railing of the bus. The monster went to grab the girl but I was faster.
"Gotcha ya!" I yelled as my arms went around her. The nano board formed back and extended itself to give enough room for the girl's feet to be touching it.
"Hang on!" I instructed her as I began to dodge the tentacles being aimed at us.
"Don't have to tell me twice!" The girl yelled as she clutched her arms around me.
The monster threw a car at us. I quickly grabbed it with my electricity and flung it right back at the monster. One of its tentacles came up from under me and hit my board. The hit caused the girl and me to get launched up. The girl screamed as she landed on a ledge of the nearby building.
My back collided with the building and I began to fall until the monster wrapped a tentacle around me. I made a disgusted face as the monster held me up to its single eye.
"Man you're ugly." I commented.
"You better be talking about the one eyed monster." I turned my head to see Stephen also caught by the monster.
"Oh hey, you too?" He nodded.
"I wasn't planning on this happening." I started to feel the monster begin to constrict the tentacle around me.
"Can't you get us out of this?" I managed to say as my chest was getting squeezed.
"Kind of need my hands at the moment. You get us out of this." Stephen replied back with a snarky tone.
"Unless you want to get electrocuted I wouldn't recommend it." I wheezed out.
I saw magical whips come up and hit the monster. The monster seemed to get pissed off from the attack. I looked down to see Wong.
"Hey Wong." I greeted.
"Mel." Wong greeted back before he got knocked away by the monster. The monster's grip wasn't loosening until a piece of the building above landed on top of its head…can you call it a head if it's just an eye?
The monster's grip finally slacked enough for Stephen to get his hands out. His magic circles appeared around his arms just as the monster climbed up to get to the girl above.
"This might get messy. Cover up." My mask immediately covered my face again. A lamppost flew towards us and struck the monster in its eye.
I felt the monster drop me and one moment I felt like I'm falling. Then the next I went through a portal and rolled on the pavement. I felt my stomach churn as a wave of nausea hit me.
"Oh I did not like that." I managed to say as I leaned on my hands and knees on the pavement. My mask dropped down to show my pale face.
"Apologies, Mel. I didn't want you to get squished by that monster." I heard Wong's voice above me. I looked up to see Wong holding out his hand.
I clapped his hand with my armored one and he helped me up to my feet. Another portal opened next to us as Stephen and the girl walked through.
"Well, that is officially the weirdest thing I have ever fought." I said as I stared at the dislodged eyeball of the monster.
"Why was that thing after you, kid?" Stephen asked as he looked at the teenage girl. The girl attempted to flee but Stephen caught her by the arm.
"Hey kid, I just saved your life. The least you can do is answer my question." The girl didn't say anything but took Stephen's Sling Ring and made a break for it.
"Did she just take your Sling Ring?" Wong guessed.
"She just took my Sling Ring." Stephen confirmed.
"How'd she know that's what you need to use for your portals?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Exactly the question I want answered. Wong?" Wong opened up his portal and the three of us stepped through it. I was now staring at the back of the girl.
She was looking out from behind a wall to see if we were following her. She sighed in relief and turned around. She gasped seeing us now in front of her.
"Close but there's two of them." I stated and pointed to the Sling Ring on Wong's fingers.
"I'm going to ask you again, what did that thing want with you? It was clearly only after you." Stephen asked.
The girl frowned and shook her head, "I don't trust you or any other Stephen Stranges." I frowned upon hearing that.
"Other Stephen Stranges? What are you talking about?" The girl looked at me.
"I'm not from here. From this universe. It's hard to explain." The multiverse theory. I crossed my arms and took a step to her with a stern look.
"Try me. I have experience from seeing an alternate reality." The girl's eyes widened.
"You have?" I nodded my head. If this girl really is from a different universe…then this may be my answer on how to get back to Bruce.
"What is your name?" Wong asked.
"America Chavez." She answered.
"Well Ms. Chavez, consider yourself officially under protection of the Kamar-Taj." Wong informed her.
"America, you need to tell us more about you." I urged her. Stephen's eyes glanced over to me. He knew why I wanted to talk to her so badly.
America pointed at me, "I-I don't even know your name. It's only fair, right?" I gave a small smile. Fair point.
"I'm Melody Wayne but you can call me Mel." I then heard America's stomach growl. I chuckled and smirked.
"Maybe we can talk about this while you eat?" America grinned and nodded.
"So you have the power to jump through different universes?" I asked. I was completely intrigued.
America nodded as she took a bite of her pizza. We were all sitting down at a local restaurant while America explained to us.
"How much do you guys know of the multiverse?" She asked after swallowing her bite.
"Not too much. We had an encounter with it when helping Spiderman." Steven mentioned.
"Ew, that sounds disgusting. He's a giant spider?" I cracked up in laughter.
"No, he looks like a man." I assured her with a grin.
"So does he have the powers of a spider then. Ew, does he shoot webs from his butt?" My face turned red as I laughed harder.
"What? No…well…at least I don't think so." Stephen answered. I was too busy dying of laughter. I had my armored hand over my chest as my body shook with laughter. Oh my god, that is the best thing I have ever heard!
"Good going there kid, you broke Voltess." Stephen commented and gestured to me. I leaned fully back in my chair trying to stop myself from laughing and catch my breath.
"I'm loving this kid." I manage to say through my laughter. America grinned and a small laugh came from her.
"You know, I want to know why you were over here? Isn't the Sanctum further away?" America suddenly asked.
Wong looked at him, "I was wondering the same thing."
"I was at Christine's wedding," Stephen started to say.
"No, you went?" Wong immediately asked.
"No way, you married Christine?!" America followed up.
"Yes, I went and no I did not. Wait, how do you even know Christine?" Stephen asked America.
"I knew her from the other you. The other Stephen I thought was my friend but he betrayed me. He tried to take my powers away and that would kill me." My laughter died out hearing the seriousness of her voice.
"I saw that in my nightmare." America shook her head.
"That wasn't a nightmare, that was you seeing through your other self. All of the dreams you have are really alternate versions of you." I frowned upon hearing that.
"Wait, so you're telling me that the dream I had last week where I dove off a cliff in water was another version of myself?" I asked for clarification.
America nodded, "Another version of you in a different universe did that."
"I don't believe you." Stephen said outright.
"I'm telling the truth." America defended herself.
"Prove it."
"Whelp…that's proof enough for me." I stated staring at a very dead other version of Stephen Strange.
I tilted my head as I looked at his mauled face, "You even had a ponytail." I said with a smirk directed at Stephen.
"That's a nightmare in itself." He muttered back.
"So these monsters want to take your power from you. They have to be sent by somebody. Any idea of who?" I asked America.
"No, they just started appearing out of nowhere. I don't know who's after me but they want my power. The other Stephen helping me by getting to the Book of Vishanti." I looked at Wong and Stephen for a clue of what that was.
"The Book of Vishanti? That's just a myth, it's not real." Stephen argued.
"Oh yeah? Well we found it." America countered.
"What's the Book of Vishanti?" I asked confusedly.
"It's essentially a book of wisdom that is supposed to give a sorcerer untold powers. It's not real though." Stephen argued and America rolled her eyes.
"Strange, did you notice something about that demon creature from before. It had runes but it wasn't mystical runes that we're familiar with." Wong brought up suddenly.
Stephen looked at Wong in interest, "Witchcraft. The demon must have been summoned by dark magic."
I frowned, "Magic as in the same kind of magic Wanda uses?" I took a shot in the dark.
I knew Wanda's magic was incredibly powerful. Every Avenger at this point heard what she did at Westview. She enslaved an entire town of people to live out a fantasy according to what I've heard. I knew the death of Vision hit her hard but I never expected her to be capable of that.
Stephen gave an open smile and pointed at me, "Exactly like Wanda Maximoff's." He turned to Wong, "She may have some insight on the multiverse herself." Stephen turned back to me.
"Mel, you're coming with me. We need to get Wanda's help and you have history with her. She may be willing to help if you're there." I nodded.
"We weren't exactly close but yeah, I'll see what I can do." Stephen nodded and looked at Wong.
"Get the kid to the Kamar-Taj." He instructed.
"What about dead you?" I asked and pointed down at the dead body.
Stephen's magic circles formed around his hands as he moved the bricks behind us. I watched as he put the dead body under the bricks and sealed it back up.
"Well that's not disturbing." I muttered sarcastically.
"Let's go, Mel." Stephen said as he opened a portal. I followed Stephen through a portal that led to what looked like an apple orchard farm.
I looked at the blossoming apple trees as I walked underneath them. Stephen kept up pace next to me as we approached Wanda. She was tending to some of the branches.
"Hey Wanda." I greeted her. She stopped after trimming a branch and turned to face us.
"Mel, it's been a while." Wanda greeted me. Her eyes glanced over at Steven.
"If you're here about Westview then you must know I didn't mean to do that. It wasn't my intention to enslave the whole town. I've given up my magic." Wanda defended herself.
"We're not here about Westview, Wanda." Stephen stated.
"Wanda, we need your help." I told her.
Wanda frowned and grabbed the wicker basket at her feet. She tucked it under her arm and started to walk. Stephen and I followed her.
"You need my help for what?" She asked.
"What do you know about the multiverse?" Stephen asked.
"Vis had his theories. He said it was dangerous." Wanda stated. We got to an open field and she set down the wicker basket.
"This morning we came across a girl. She's just a kid and she has powers that allow her to jump from different universes. Something is after her. Something related to magic, the same kind of magic you use. We could use your knowledge on it to protect her." I informed her.
"She's under our protection now at the Kamar-Taj. We need your help to protect her, Wanda." Stephen added.
"Then why don't you just bring America here. I can help protect her here." I froze as Wanda continued to walk forward. I never said her name.
"How'd you know that was her name?" I asked quietly. Wanda stopped in place.
"You never said her name…did you?" I began to get a sinking feeling in my chest. I gave Wanda a hard stare towards her back.
"It's not a coincidence that the same magic being used to summon those things after America is also tied to you…is it, Wanda?" I stated harshly.
Wanda sighed and turned around, "You always were quite the detective, Mel. Holding a hex is easy enough but lying about it…" She trailed off.
Her red magic formed from her hand. Slowly the apple orchard began to turn dark. Dead trees stood in their places of the live ones. The nice little cottage then turned into an abandoned husk of its former self. Wanda's outfit changed as well to something I'd never seen before. A book floated just beside her.
"You have the Darkhold." Stephen stated seeing the book, "That is dangerous to trifle with. Anyone who casts its spells from it becomes corrupt." My eyes widened as I looked at Wanda.
"The Darkhold has shown me nothing but the truth. I don't mean any harm. I just want to see my children." Wanda stated.
"Wanda, your kids don't exist. You fabricated them." I said softly to her.
Wanda smiled and shook her head, "You're wrong, Mel. They do exist. In another universe. I've dreamt of them. All I need is that girls powers." I shook my head at her as I stared at her in shock.
"Taking America's powers will kill her! For god's sake she's only fourteen! She's a kid, Wanda! You want to kill a child!" I exclaimed at her. I couldn't believe what I was hearing coming from my friend…my fellow Avenger.
"You know what I've been through, Mel. I lost my parents, my brother, my husband, and my children! I at least deserve this chance at happiness." Wanda excused her actions.
"That is the exact kind of thinking that our enemies have used in the past. You're sounding like them, Wanda." Stephen warned her.
"Well maybe they had a point. Why is it when you mess with reality you're hailed as a hero, Stephen Strange? But when I do it, I become the villain? You gave the time stone to Thanos when there could have been a different way." Wanda chastised him.
"It was the only way, Wanda. I understand that you have lost loved ones, but you can't go down this path." Stephen warned.
"Have you ever had to crush in the forehead of that one you love? Then only to have it mean nothing. You don't know anything about loss, Stephen Strange." Wanda then turned to me.
"Mel, you of all people should understand. Your husband is off in another reality while you are stuck here. You were sent there and forced back because of the stones. With America's power you would finally be able to see him again. Be able to physically hold him in your arms. You could be happy again." I swallowed hard. I did want to see Bruce again. With every fiber of my being I wanted to be with him, but I also know he'd be furious at me if he found how I returned. Bruce doesn't condone killing let alone the killing of a child.
I slowly glanced over to Stephen. He had a pleading look on his face. He slowly shook his head no. I took a deep breath before making eye contact with Wanda. My gaze hardened.
"You're right. I do want to see my husband again." Wanda grinned, "But," Her grin fell, "I also know the type of man my husband is. He's like us Wanda. He's a hero and I know that if he was in the exact same scenario I am right now. He'd still refuse even if it meant reuniting." I took a dangerous step towards Wanda.
"I wonder what Vision would say if he saw what you've become right now." I said quietly. Wanda grew a dark look on her face. Her eyes snapped over to Stephen.
"Bring me America or else. I've been reasonable up until now. Tell the Kamar-Taj that the Scarlet Witch is coming." She turned around and walked away. My jaw tensed as I glared at Wanda walking away. No…this wasn't Wanda anymore. This is the Scarlet Witch now.
"You had me going there for a second." Stephen said quietly.
"My husband follows one rule as a hero, Stephen. He doesn't kill and neither will I." I shook my head and looked at Stephen, "America can learn to control her powers and when she does…you know where to find me." Stephen furrowed his brows.
"You're not joining?" He asked in mild shock.
I gave a small smile, "Normally I would but, there's a little girl out there that depends on me. I know you are more than capable of handling this." Stephen gave a smile and nodded.
"I understand. Thank you for your help, Mel." He moved his fingers in a circular motion and a portal opened up next to me. I looked over to see it was the Avengers HQ building.
I walked to the portal and stopped just before it, "And Stephen," He perk his head up, "I know what you did was the only way to win that fight. Tony wouldn't have sacrificed himself if he didn't believe in you. Don't let his death be in vain or else I'll have to kick your ass." Stephen grinned and chuckled.
"I wouldn't doubt it. I promise once America learns to control her powers, you'll be the first person I'll tell." He assured me.
"I'll hold you to that promise." With that I stepped through the portal. I heard it close behind me as my feet stepped onto the grass lawn of the property.
I looked up to the orange glow of the sky as the sun began to set. For the first time in eighteen months there's finally a real chance that I can go back.
"Just hang on a little longer." I quietly said out loud.
Elsewhere…
No One's P.O.V
A private helicopter made its way onto a private runway off the coast of Iceland. Alfred held onto his hat as the chopper landed. The door opened and Bruce Wayne hopped down from the helicopter. His dark hair was longer and his beard had grown out from the long journey he had made.
"My God, Master Wayne, but this is cold. Maybe we can catch the next king tide in Jamaica? Might be a meta-human or two in Fiji. Costa Rica's nice." Alfred yelled over the sound of the chopper. The two men began to walk back to the private plane that awaited them.
"I found him, Alfred." The two men shared a look, "He said no." Bruce said with disappointment in his voice.
"So the draft stands at naught for two? Maybe a man who broods in a cave for a living isn't cut out to be a recruiter. Hm?" Bruce rolled his eyes at the old butler.
"Is he with you?" Bruce asked suddenly.
Alfred nodded, "He's on the plane. You've been gone for a while now, Master Wayne. Master Grayson is eager for another lesson with you." Bruce smiled slightly. The two reached the stairs that led up to the private plane. The chopper behind them lifted up in the air and took off.
Bruce walked into the plane and immediately spotted the twelve year old boy in question. The dark haired and dark eyed boy sat slouched in one of the chairs of the private plane. He leaned against the wall of the plane with a bored look on his face as he stared out the window.
Bruce smiled seeing the boy. He had been gone for just over a month now and he had missed his adoptive son. It had been eighteen months since Dick was officially adopted by him. The two had a rocky start but the moment Bruce revealed to Dick that he was Batman and that Melody was Voltess. He could see the change in Dick. He wanted to be like his adopted parents. So, Bruce began training the boy in martial arts. Dick was not ready by any means to actually go out there and fight yet, but the training did help form a bond between the two.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Dick immediately looked over hearing Bruce's voice.
"So? Did you find him?" Dick asked expectantly.
Bruce rubbed the back of his neck and gave a sigh. He walked over and sat down on the seat across from him.
"I did but he said no. He wasn't interested." Dick frowned and crossed his arms over his chest.
"You're not really good at this, dad." Alfred stifled a chuckle which earned a glare from Bruce.
Bruce let out a sigh and rubbed his face with one hand, "I don't know how Mel was able to do it." He muttered.
"I'm fairly positive that madam was recruited herself to the Avengers. S.H.I.E.L.D. was the one to form them." Alfred corrected Bruce.
"She still would be better at this then I am. We could have had Diana and Arthur joined up with us if she was here." Bruce admitted.
"You don't know that for certain, Master Wayne. They still could have said no." Alfred defended.
Bruce shook his head, "No, I do know. Mel was one of them. A meta-human. For five years she wanted to meet others like her. She always mentioned that she felt alone not knowing anyone like her. Mel could have connected to them on a level I never could." Bruce stated.
"Well she's not here." Dick mumbled under his breath. His eyes narrowed at the floor.
Bruce frowned hearing him, "Dick, we've talked about this." He said in a warning tone.
Dick looked up to him with angry eyes, "So what? I don't know how you can still have hope. Voltess is back in her own world and she's not coming back. It's been eighteen months. She's probably moved on already." Bruce's jaw tightened and he gave a frustrated sigh.
"I'm going to let that disrespectful attitude slide for now. You may not know what she is like but I do. Your mother keeps her promises and if she says she'll find a way back. She will." Bruce warned the young boy.
Dick slouched back into the seat, "She's not my mom. She has to be here for me to call her that." He muttered with disdain in his voice.
Bruce could feel a headache coming on as the private plane began to move down the runway. Dick truly admired Voltess. After all, she's the one that saved him as a young boy, but he was extremely bitter towards her at the same time. She had left this world behind and he doubted she'd ever come back.
Bruce looked out from the plane window as it began to ascend into the sky. He would just have to have enough hope for the both of them.