A/N: Well, this story being a one shot didn't last long did it? Lol. Not sure how far it's gonna go, but for now, I hope you enjoy this chapter. :)
You weren't built to last, Radcliffe remembers telling the May LMD.
The Framework on the other hand? That was built to last. A world without regret and without end. Radcliffe sees now just how foolish of a creation this was. There were just some lines that science was never meant to cross. Ironic then that he used magic to cross them instead. All he can do now is help the people in this world in whatever way he can.
In the few hours that passed since the Framework became real, Radcliffe, Hope, Bobbi, and Hunter headed for the Playground along with many other civilians believing the Agents of Shield would have answers. Ward and his fellow agents were doing their best to keep order, but there was no doubting the confusion on their faces.
"I've seen some weird things in my time, but this global 'now you see me, now you don't, now you do' stuff takes the cake," Hunter says pacing around the Playground while Bobbi and Hope look something up on one of the Shield computers.
"Hopefully the President will have some sort of explanation for this when he addresses the nation," Radcliffe says continuing to play dumb.
"He'll probably just blame Hydra. Not that I wouldn't mind another nail being driven into their coffin after all they've done; especially the Madame. But still, we need some real answers."
Just hearing the word 'Madame' sent a shiver up Radcliffe's spine and he wondered what would become of AIDA's vacant Framework Avatar.
Unlike the others, she left behind a body, he thinks. By all means, her avatar should be brain dead since AIDA unplugged herself from the Framework. But now that we're a real place, will that give life back to her avatar? Will she be the same as AIDA or will she become her own person with her own personality, memories, and no recollection of who she was outside of this world? Or maybe someone else already found her comatose body and finished her off.
"Radcliffe?"
"Hm," he says coming out of his train of thought.
"Bobbi's got something." Hunter directs Radcliffe's attention to the computer Bobbi and Hope are at and they walk over to join them.
"That's her," Hope says pointing to the image of a woman on a the computer monitor. "That's my mom."
"Doesn't seem too far from here. A few hours drive at best," Bobbi says.
"What am I gonna tell her about daddy?" Hope asks.
"We'll...figure that part out later," Radcliffe answers.
"Hey everyone," Ward calls out. "The President's going to speak in a few minutes. We're broadcasting in the hangar, so please head there now if you will." The people obey his orders and head for the hangar; Hope holding Bobbi's hand. Radcliffe starts to follow, but a hand on his shoulder makes him stop.
"Dr. Holden Radcliffe," an unfamiliar voice says. Radcliffe turns around and meets an unfamiliar face. He's looks American, around the age of 40, with an interesting looking beard.
"How do you know my name?" Radcliffe asks the mysterious individual.
"If you will follow me, I will explain everything."
"You'll forgive me if I'm not keen on following strangers after the past few months I've had," Radcliffe says and tries to go after the last group of people exiting the room. The mysterious individual grabs his arm and Radcliffe's world suddenly feels lighter and he feels himself tumbling backwards. He stops before hitting the ground and finds himself staring at his own body.
"Holy shit!" He curses. He looks at his hands and can see right through them.
"Now that I've got your attention," the man says.
"What did you do to me!" Radcliffe yells and then sees that the man is floating outside his body as well.
"Allow me to introduce myself. Doctor Stephen Strange, Master of the Mystical Arts, at your service."
"Oh my God. Not more magic," Radcliffe groans.
"You can relax. I'm far more benign than anything you read in the Darkhold." Strange places a hand on Radcliffe's astral form and shoves it back into his body and then reenters his own. Radcliffe gasps and falls to his knees.
"What did you do to me?"
"I just briefly ripped your astral form from your body."
"You did what!"
"Doctor, you need to relax."
"Relax? I think...I think I'm having a heart attack."
"I'm not that kind of doctor, but I can tell you certainly are not," Strange confirms. "I apologize for how overwhelming that experience must've been, but I needed to get your attention. I trust I have it now."
"You do, you do. Please don't do that again," Radcliffe requests and Strange nods. "You spoke of the Darkhold. How do you know of it?"
"It was part of my master's collection years ago before someone stole it."
"I don't have it, I swear."
"I'm aware of that, Doctor. The Darkhold was returned to its rightful place less than a few hours ago. But that is not why I'm here. I've come here to tell you about the fate of this world."
"What do you mean?"
"The Framework came to my attention when I detected the massive amounts of Darkhold energy used in its creation. My friends and I have been keeping watch over it since then in hopes that it might lead us to the Darkhold."
"If you have the Darkhold then why are you here now?"
"I and the followers of The Ancient One keep watch over the realms. Now that the Framework is a true dimension and here to stay, it is our duty to observe and help with its transition."
"Does that mean you can modify everyone's memories, so they don't remember this global disappearing act?" Radcliffe hopes.
"Don't be ridiculous. Even The Ancient One didn't have the power to do something like that, but I am here to help regardless. First things first." Strange waves his hand and Daisy appears before the two of them. She's floating in the air with her eyes closed as if she's asleep.
"Daisy."
"No. This is her avatar. The one known as Skye."
"But that's impossible. Daisy didn't leave behind an avatar."
"But her avatar still existed prior to her entrance into the Framework. Am I correct?"
"Yes."
"Things created by the Darkhold aren't so easily lost or destroyed. When Daisy escaped the Framework, her avatar returned to I'm guessing the last place she was before her consciousness was overwritten. I then put her into stasis."
"Why?"
"Skye still has her Inhuman powers, but none of Daisy's experience. The last thing this world needs right now is an Inhuman as powerful as her left unchecked."
"So are you here to help her learn to control her powers?"
"Yes, but it'll require more than just myself. We'll also need someone that she trusts. The one known as Grant Ward."
"If that's the case then why didn't you explain this to both of us at the same time?"
"Do you really think he's ready to learn of the existence of magic after what he's been through?"
"Um, no. I suppose he isn't," Radcliffe admits. Strange waves his hand again and Skye disappears.
"I've placed her in a specially reinforced room within the station. She should remain asleep for about another hour, so we'll have plenty of time to explain this to Ward when he comes back."
"Explain what to me?" Ward asks returning from the hangar.
"Uh, hi. I hope you like surprises," Radcliffe uneasily states.
To Be Continued...