Welcome back to Ashes of Midnight. Last time, Spyro, Iron Man, and Doctor Strange went to the middle of nowhere to try and recruit Johnny Blaze to aid them in stopping the Aether-boosted Prophecy of the Midnight Sun. But after that failed, they ended up fighting an army of demons. Once they were beaten, Bruce Banner called, and long story short, the enemy is converging on the Sanctum Sanctorum, seeking Cynder and the Scarlet Witch. So, what awaits back on Bleecker Street? Read on to discover...

(Our story resumes within the walls of the Sanctum Sanctorum, where Scarlet Witch is scouring some mystic scrolls while Cynder gathers some of her own)

Cynder: Anything yet, Wanda?

Scarlet Witch: Nothing so far, unfortunately.

Cynder: (Sighs) You know, it's been a while since we've just talked. How's apprenticing under Strange going for you?

Scarlet Witch: Well, when we're not dealing with world ending prophecies, it's been going pretty well actually. The tutelage of the Sorcerer Supreme has really helped me to control my powers. Though, he really only built on what Agatha already put in place.

Cynder: I know losing her was tough. But she'd be proud to know the mage you've become.

Scarlet Witch: Thanks, Cyn. That means more than you know. (Spots something the pile of documents) Found it! (Realizes where it was) Of course. The collective works of the universe's greatest sorcerers, and he leaves them under the takeout menus.

Cynder: That's probably the most Stephen Strange thing I've heard all day.

(And just as his name is mentioned, Doctor Strange opens a portal into the heart of the room, allowing himself, Iron Man, and Spyro to enter)

Scarlet Witch: Speak of the devil.

Cynder: Aren't there like seven of them?

Scarlet Witch: Take your pick then.

Doctor Strange: (Noting the portal's instability) Shifting mystical polarities are starting to wreak havoc on my portals.

Spyro: Hey, it got us here, didn't it?

Doctor Strange: Not sure how much longer I can trust them to work.

Scarlet Witch: Are you alright?

Spyro: We were about to ask you two the same question.

Cynder: Everything seems fine here, why?

(But before the guys can explain anything, what looks like a living ball of fire crashes through the ceiling, capturing everyone's attention before revealing itself to be Carol Danvers, alias Captain Marvel)

Cynder: Carol. Didn't expect to see you back on earth again.

Captain Marvel: (Ignoring Cynder's comment) Bruce and I have been trying to reach you. He'd have come himself but...

Iron Man: Trust me, you did Jolly Green proud.

(Before Captain Marvel can react to this, a green and violet portal opens up in the room, allowing what look like possessed HYDRA soldiers to step through.)

Doctor Strange: If we make it out of this alive, I need to reexamine my homeowner's insurance.

Spyro: Doesn't Wong technically own this place?

HYDRA Soldiers: (As they gear up for a brawl) Hail HYDRA!

Doctor Strange: Ms. Maximoff, the wards of protection, if you please?

Scarlet Witch: Stephen, I can fight them. I'm more in control now than I've ever been!

Doctor Strange: Then prove it by casting the wards.

Spyro: How do you expect Wanda to prove her skill if you never give her a chance?

Doctor Strange: The time will come. In the meantime, I would say that in honor of our missing colleague, it's time for the rest of us to smash away.

(While Scarlet Witch casts the wards of protection around the Sanctum Sanctorum, the rest of the team get to work taking out the HYDRA soldiers. And while they seem easy to take out, something seems to be going on with the wards)

Scarlet Witch: The wards, something's blocking them!

Spyro: Let me give you an Aether boost, that should help things along.

Doctor Strange: Too late. They're already here.

(And true to Doctor Strange's word, another green and violet portal opens up, revealing Lilith joined by the spectral form of Malefor manifested by her new armor)

Iron Man: Okay, who's the Gozer wannabe?

Doctor Strange: Lilith, the Mother of Demons. Harbinger of the Midnight Sun.

Spyro: And she's not alone. Whatever HYDRA did, it brought Malefor back too.

Doctor Strange: Prophecy or not, you overstep, Lilith. Challenging the Sorcerer Supreme at his very...

Lilith: Be silent.

(Without even so much as a thought, Lilith casts a bolt of green magic, throwing Doctor Strange into the front door and binding him there in such a way that prevents him from speaking)

Malefor: At long last, we meet again.

Spyro: I don't know what HYDRA has in mind bringing you back with Lilith here, but I'm not going to let it happen.

Lilith: All will make sense in due time, child.

Iron Man: Okay, enough of the hocus pocus.

Lilith: Be still.

(As Iron Man takes to the skies, Lilith casts gray magic on him, causing him to freeze in air)

Iron Man: What just happened?! I can't move!

(Captain Marvel attempts to go in for a strike, but finds that even with a star powered punch, she can't make a dent in Lilith or Malefor)

Captain Marvel: (Clenching her hand in pain) Okay, that actually hurt.

Lilith: (Now aggravated) Be gone!

Scarlet Witch: No!

(With a bolt of scarlet magic, Scarlet Witch manages to knock Lilith back towards her portal, with Spyro later backing her up to send Malefor flying as well)

Lilith: (Noting Scarlet Witch) A fellow daughter of Transia. You remind me much of my child...

Malefor: So this is the power of the Scarlet Witch. You would do well under my command.

Scarlet Witch: Nobody commands me.

Malefor: (With a chuckle) We shall see...

(Meanwhile, that blast has undone the magic binding Doctor Strange and Iron Man, the former of whom steps back into battle straight away)

Doctor Strange: In Virtute Vishanti!

(With that incantation, Doctor Strange pushes Lilith and Malefor back through the portal they came from)

Doctor Strange: Well done, Ms. Maximoff. Your unique energy caught them both off guard.

Iron Man: (Finally landing) So, now what do we do?

Doctor Strange: The prophecy is still in motion. Lilith and Malefor are still out there, no doubt growing stronger every second the Midnight Sun approaches.

Captain Marvel: How can they get much stronger?!

Doctor Strange: If we're to stop them, there's only one thing we can do.

(With that, Doctor Strange opens a portal to what looks like a garden, only Scarlet Witch seems to react negatively to it)

Scarlet Witch: I'm not going back there.

Spyro: I'm not too fond of that spot myself.

Doctor Strange: We must all face our demons. But it would be wise to have someone stay here and secure the wards of protection.

Spyro: Cynder, would you...

Cynder: Trade teams? Sure. Anything to get out of this place for a minute, it's always given me the creeps.

Doctor Strange: Then it is agreed.

(And with that, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, Iron Man, and Cynder head through the portal)

Iron Man: See you on the other side.

(And as the portal closes, leaving Spyro and Scarlet Witch in the Sanctum Sanctorum, our tale ends for today)

And that looks like a good spot to end for now. If anybody's wondering why Spyro and Cynder decided to switch teams, it'll make sense as we go on. So, what is this garden looking place where the Sorcerer Supreme claims their only hope lies? Tune in next time to find out! Same time... same channel!