-Unbetaed, non native speaker so please kindly point out any mistake
-Warning: bad jokes
Right now Stephen was exhausted. Apparently using magic took a lot of energy. He wasn't even sure how to replicate what just happened in the Park. He was so worried for Tony and Peter's safety and there was also something else stirred in his mind and out of instinct, bolts of energy which were apparently called Bolts of Bedevilment shot out of his hands and stun Mordo.
He told Wong, who appeared as soon as Tony called and graciously had opened a portal to bring them back to the Compound's Medical Bay so Peter didn't need to guide or carry him, that the name of the spell just rolled out of the tongue and why the name of the spell was an alliteration. That comment earned an eye roll from Wong. He said about something never changed with or without memory.
He went to check on Tony and Peter to make sure they were OK as soon they arrived at the Compound. Tony grumbled saying he was OK and asked whether Stephen should check on himself. Stephen said he was OK (well, at least that was true physically).
At least Peter was more gracious when he did a check up on him. He even called him Mr Doctor Strange again which he quickly shot down. .
It was then Wong's turn to check on three of them. Stephen said he was OK and asked Wong to check on Peter and Tony first. Luckily both of them didn't have any magical residue on their bodies and they wouldn't suffer any after effects.
Wong looked more grim (if that was possible given Wong's poker face) when he checked on Stephen. He said there was some magical residue on Stephen but Wong couldn't figure out what it did. So far it seemed harmless but he was worried because it wasn't there the last time Wong checked on him. Wong didn't spell it out but Stephen understood that the residue could be caused by himself when he performed magic or worse it came from Mordo. When he returned to Kamar-Taj, he would consult the other Masters.
Wong asked him to replicate the spell. Stephen didn't know even know how to start. Well, that was not completely true. It could be triggered if someone was in danger but there was no way Stephen risking that for a spell that might not appear. He told Wong about that and the librarian agreed. Besides, he said Stephen needed to rest as his body acted like a novice who just stumbled upon magic.
Wong was conversing with Tony in low voice. He knew they were talking about him because both of them often threw not-so-subtle glance toward him. How he wished he had Peter's super hearing right now. Speaking of Peter, the poor kid alternating between looking at him in awe and worrying about him.
"Peter, stop doing that. I won't be able to do whatever I just did so there won't be any magic show today. I also won't suddenly collapse. I won't lose any more memory nor magic because I still have none at the moment. Stop worrying."
Peter bit his lip."We nearly lost you. Are you insane stepping through that portal?"
Oh that. Stephen tried not to think about that. "Well, I'm not with Mordo now so everything works out. I nearly lost you two too. I'd never forgive myself if either of you or anyone in my stead. Peter, are you sure you're OK? You nearly died."
Peter just shrugged. "It comes with the territory because of my non-paying job as Spider-Man. Well, most of the time my villains are too stupid so I'm not faced with any mortal danger."
"You're still a teenager. You shouldn't fight crime. Let the Avengers do it."
"I'm also an Avenger. Mr. St-. Tony knighted me at the donut ship. Don't you remember?" Peter covered his mouth with both hands. "I'm so sorry. That's not very sensitive of me."
It was Stephen's turn to shrug. "That's fine. I've made peace with my condition. If my memory is supposed to return, it will eventually return. Worrying about it won't fasten the process."
"That's so Zen of you."
"I'm glad you didn't say so Strange of me. Peter, my point remains. You should focus on being a teenager, going to school, dating, listening to bad music and watching bad movies, not fighting crimes."
"Hey, my music and movies are great."
Stephen smiled. "My bad. I might've mistaken you for a common teenager. You're special. I'm not talking about your powers but you have such a big heart."
"Doc, did you knock your head and have some unknown concussion?"
"I'm serious. Let the adults do the superheroing."
"We were attacked by Mordo not because I was Spider-Man." Peter realized what he just said. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to blame you. It was all Mordo's fault, not you. What's his weird obsession with you? He said he loved you but he had funny ways of showing it."
"I'm sorry you met Mordo because of me. You really shouldn't be in any danger." Stephen was hit by the realization that he was a danger to anyone around him as long as Mordo was around. Perhaps he should go elsewhere but he shouldn't tell Tony or Peter or the rest of them as they wouldn't allow him to leave. Perhaps he could consult Wong about where to go.
"Stephen, I'm not fragile. I have super healing. I could take care of myself. Well, perhaps not against magic but in general. Stop worrying and apologizing. Everything is fine."
Tony came up behind Peter. "Really? What do you mean by everything is fine?"
"Stephen was apologizing that we were in danger because of him. I told him everything is fine. None of us died or captured or injured so everything is fine. Right?!"
"Eh, fine is a relative term but I agree with the kid. It's not your fault that some creepy guy clad in green has some weird obsession and causes dangers for everyone. Been there, done that. I'm famished. We didn't manage to get that hotdog. Wong, what do you want to eat?"
The librarian seemed surprised to be included. "I won't say no to Hulk-A-Hulk-A-Burning-Fudge, some tuna melt, and Spaghetti Aglio e Olio."
"Wong. You're not a simple man, but you have simple taste. Your wish is my command. I'll get the usual for the rest of us."
"I'll help you order Mr St-. Tony." Peter followed Tony to the dining area. They were so obvious wanting to give him some privacy.
Stephen wondered what was considered usual lunch for him. Knowing Tony, perhaps it would be something extravaganza.
"Wong, I need to talk to you."
"I also need to talk to you. OK, you first."
"As long as I don't have any power, I'm a danger to anyone around me because Mordo could attack anytime. Do you any secluded place for me to stay low? Even a cave or a cell is fine for me as long as no one else is around."
"You indeed are an idiot. Why would you want to return to a cell given you have spent three months time there?"
"I don't know. I can't think of anything. It won't be the same as Mordo's prison. As long as the place is empty and not accessible by anyone, then I'll be safe."
"Then how will you be able to get any food or medicine?"
"As I said, I haven't thought this through." Stephen answered a tad defensively.
"That much is obvious. Tony said if he were you, he would think of something like that. I guess he knew you so well or you two are two peas in a pod. He has vetoed the idea and I agree. You don't even remember your name and you still retain some injuries and plenty of trauma. There is no way we're going to let you live alone. We're not that as defenseless as you thought. We were just caught unprepared. I'll fortify the wards around this place."
"Will that be enough?"
"Honestly, I don't know. Mordo might learn some new Dark Arts that we're unaware of. The only one who might know that can't even remember his own name."
"Who? Me?! I know the Dark Arts?! Are they not evil by nature?"
"Stephen, you're very inquisitive. You want to know every magic under the sun of this dimension or even other dimensions. You might not practice it but you said it was always better to be prepared. I wish I could get that Stephen back. I meant the knowledgeable part, not the know-it-all attitude."
"I miss you too, I think."
"As for whether it's evil. It really is like a knife. You can use a knife for cooking or harming someone. The same thing with the Dark Arts. Although Dark Arts tend to corrupt the users so we don't usually practice them."
"Too bad I don't remember what I've learned. I think we need more defense system besides the wards in case Mordo attacks."
"I have one better. That's what I want to talk to you about." Wong draw a circle on the air and a portal opened . It seemed to open to the New York Sanctum. "I think it's time for you to reunite with the Cloak of Levitation."
As if on cue, a red cape, no, a red Cloak (Stephen's mind automatically corrected itself) flew through the portal. It seemed hesitant and its collars turned to Wong's direction.
"Stephen, the Cloak of Levitation is super loyal to you and has saved your lives countless times. I know you're wary of mystical objects at the moment but given your situation, are you willing to let it continues to protect you? It might protect you better than any of the Masters combined at this stage because It can stay close to you all the time."
The Cloak nodded its collars as if agreeing with Wong. The Cloak then faced Stephen and it turned the collars down but it couldn't stay long looking down, it would come up to look at Stephen again and turned its collars down again. If Stephen didn't know any better, the Cloak was timid to meet him. It looked super cute. He didn't have the heart to turn the Cloak down. Besides, after the display of Mordo's magic today, he definitely needed all the help he could get to protect the people around him.
"OK, I'll let the Cloak to protect me." The Cloak looked up, flew a bit higher, and made itself look more majestic and bigger.
Wong shook his head. "I think it tries to impress you. I really wish I could see you the way the Cloak sees you. What's so wonderful about you?"
"Hey! I guess I should be insulted but I really have no idea about it either." He beckoned the Cloak. "Come here."
The Cloak flew in front of him but stopped two feet in front of him. Stephen grabbed a corner and pull it toward his back. The Cloak didn't let him finish his work and quickly flew to attach itself on his shoulders. The weight was comforting and for one second Stephen felt everything would be better with the Cloak around. The Cloak seemed to notice his mood and started to caress his face. "Please stop it."
Tony chose that moment to step back into the Medical Bay. "Oh, good, the obscenely loyal piece of outerwear is back. Please refrain the cape from showing too much PDA because some of us want to keep our food down."
Notes:
-Yeah, this chapter was supposed to show some flashbacks about what happened to Stephen but somehow Peter, Wong, and the Cloak took over. But who would mind the return of the Cloak? The next chapter will really be about the flashbacks.
-Bolt of Bedevilment is a real Doctor Strange's spell in the comic.
-Stephen might seem to be less childlike after Mordo's attack. The excuse was more likely because he had more responsibility now to protect people around him. Besides, he had a few weeks to recuperate and become more like himself sans memory. If anyone has any opinion about this, please let me know.