DISCLAIMER: I own Derrick Bolris. This Misfitverse belongs to Red Witch, and so does Benny Barumpbump (I think...not a hundred percent sure). G.I. Joe belongs to Hasbro, and everything else belongs to Marvel.
Chapter 2: Invited to the Sanctum Sanctorum
Just outside the La Brea Tar Pits, a machine resembling a giant green frog became visible as it leapt into the tar pit and sank, landing in the Hostel. Groaning, the Runaways tumbled out, though Molly was completely ecstatic.
"That was so freakin' cool!" Molly cried. "We got to fight another animal-themed bad guy!"
"Molly, the bad doctor whacked Der upside the head with one of his metallic pool noodles," Gert pointed out as Karolina and Old Lace carried a barely-conscious Derrick out of the Leapfrog.
"Yeah, but he's got such a cool theme!" Molly cried. "Animal villains are awesome! I'd give freakin' anything to punch a Giraffe-Man!"
"Not so loud, Mol," Derrick groaned, a hand to his head. "My head's been cracked open by a fat guy with tentacles."
"Yeah, you're pretty new to this for someone who lived in NY," Chase snickered.
"Maybe that's because I've never actually fought a supervillain other than Morbius while in New York?" Derrick sneered.
"Relax," Nico said, putting a hand on Derrick's shoulder. "You'll get used to it."
Old Lace suddenly stuck her nose into the air, sniffing.
"What is it, girl?" Gert asked. "What do you smell?"
"I swear, if the Misfits stowed in our ride again…" Chase snarled, but Old Lace made a dash away and went into one of the Hostel's rooms.
"Why's she going into Nico's room?" Karolina asked.
"That's something I'd like to know," Nico said.
"Don't look at me," Gert said. "Hang on a sec, she's coming back."
Old Lace returned with a purple-and-black envelope in her jaws.
"What is it?" Karolina asked.
"Covered in raptor spit," Chase answered.
"Seriously, what is it?" Nico asked as Old Lace handed her the letter. "Wait…it's addressed to me. And there's no return address."
"What, you got a secret admirer now?" Chase asked, Molly clapping a hand over her mouth.
Karolina jerked slightly, accidentally dropping Derrick, who grumbled incoherently as an endlessly-apologizing Karolina picked him up.
"Only one way to find out," Gert said. "Better open it, Nico. We'll be ready."
Nico opened it, and somehow, a letter that was folded over several times emerged from the letter and unfolded…by itself. It hovered in front of Nico's face, just far enough away for her to read it.
"What's it say?" Karolina asked, holding onto Derrick with a slightly tighter grip.
"It says 'Dear Nico Minoru'," Nico began, "'My name is Doctor Stephen Strange'—"
"Doctor Strange?" Derrick asked.
"That's what it says," Nico said. "Why, you know him?"
"No, but I've heard of him," Derrick answered. "He calls himself the 'Sorcerer Supreme', and he has the most inept apprentice of all time. Lives in New York."
"Don't stop!" Molly said. "What's it say?"
"'I cordially invite you to a convention of magic-users'," Nico read. "'There, we and others can interact and perhaps learn from one another. Should you choose to accept, please place your thumb on the emblem at the bottom of this letter. Sincerely, Doctor Strange'. That's all it says." Nico finished.
"The guy's asking you to hang out with him?" Karolina asked.
"I'm not sure you should go," Derrick said.
"Yeah, I'm with Derrick," Gert agreed. "What's to say Strange doesn't just want to take your staff?"
"I don't know, guys," Nico said, "I think it's a chance worth taking. I need every opportunity I can find to get better with the Staff of One. Why not take this one?"
"Because he's an adult," Chase said. "Adults have lied to us since we were little kids, remember?"
"Guys, I trust Nico," Karolina said. "If she thinks it's all right, it's all right."
"I still don't like it," Derrick growled.
"Quit worrying, Derrick," Nico scolded. "What can a guy with a name like Stephen Strange do?"
"I hear his apprentice once turned Wolverine into a unicorn," Derrick pointed out.
"SERIOUSLY?!" Molly cried happily. "THAT IS SO FREAKIN' AWESOME!"
"Well, if his apprentice can do that, think of what he can do," Gert said.
"Good point," Nico said. "Molly, can you grab on? I'll need your help in case Strange tries something."
"Okay!" Molly said, grabbing onto Nico's leg.
"You sure you'll be fine?" Derrick asked.
"I thought I told you to stop worrying," Nico said, though she couldn't keep a smile off of her face at his concern. "Must be the concussion."
****
Two minutes later, at the home of Doctor Strange, Nico and Molly appeared in a whirling vortex of purple. A goateed man in a purple cloak greeted them, a teenage boy by his side.
"Welcome, Nico Minoru, wielder of the Staff of One," said the man. "I am Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme."
"And I'm future comedic superstar, Benny Barump—buuuuuuh," Doctor Strange's companion began, jaw dropping upon catching sight of Nico.
"Welcome to the Sanctum Sanctorum," Doctor Strange said. He then looked to Benny. "Benny? Benny, stop drooling. Do not give Wong more work than he absolutely has to do."
"Oh, dear God," Nico groaned. "Here come the flashbacks to Father Flanagan's Home for Unwanted Goth Kids."
"What is she doing here, though?" asked Doctor Strange, pointing at Molly.
"She's here in case you decide to pull a fast one on me," Nico answered.
"First of all, I would never go back on my word," Doctor Strange said. "Secondly, even if I did, I doubt a little girl could protect you from anything."
"Hey!" Molly yelled. "Who are you calling little, goat-face?!"
"Er, anyway," Doctor Strange said, ignoring Molly's insult, "Benny will show you to…Benny, would you care to stop drooling? You are making a puddle whose size could possibly rival New York itself."
"Huh?" Benny stammered. "Oh, uh, right. Want me to hold your—"
"Touch me and I'll have Molly punch you through the wall," Nico warned, Molly punching her fist into her hand, the latter's eyes glowing pink.
"Please just go," Doctor Strange groaned, and Benny (nervously) led Nico and Molly away. Seconds after they left, another vortex appeared, this one depositing another raven-haired teenage girl. "Ah, a new arrival. Welcome, Wanda Maximoff, Witch of Scarlet."
"Sure, thanks," said Wanda Maximoff, the Misfit codenamed Scarlet Witch. "So, where exactly do I stay?"
****
It's fun to play on the fact that generally every teenage guy falls for Nico. Heh heh heh...