Chapter 9

Disclaimer: I don't own How I Met Your Mother or Spider-Man and anything Marvel related properties. They belong to their respective owners.

As the dust settled from the explosion, the figure approached Kasady and Tracy with a determined stride. His eyes were sharp, scanning the chaotic scene before him. "Let her go," he demanded, his voice carrying an undeniable authority.

Kasady, his face contorted with rage, turned to face this new adversary. "And who are you to command me?" he spat, tightening his grip on Tracy's neck.

"I am Doctor Strange," the man replied, his hands glowing with mystical energy. "And I will not ask again."

Tracy, her vision beginning to clear, saw the opportunity unfolding before her. With a surge of willpower, she summoned the symbiote, causing it to writhe beneath Kasady's skin. The pain was intense, giving her the chance to break free. She stumbled backward, gasping for air as she regained her footing.

Seeing Tracy escape, Kasady roared in frustration. He charged at Doctor Strange, his form a blur of darkness and fury. But Strange was ready, his hands moving in intricate patterns as he cast a barrier of protective energy around himself. Kasady's attack bounced off the shield, leaving him reeling.

"You cannot win this fight," Strange declared, his voice calm yet firm. "Surrender now, and your suffering will be lessened."

Enraged by the defiance, Kasady lunged again, this time aiming for Tracy. But before he could reach her, Robin fired an arrow, striking Kasady in the shoulder. The impact was enough to momentarily distract him, allowing Ted and Marshall to tackle him to the ground.

"Get the device!" Tracy shouted, pointing to the sonic weapon Eddie had dropped during the chaos. Lily sprinted towards it, her hands trembling as she picked it up. She activated the frequency, aiming it directly at Kasady.

The symbiote recoiled once more, its tendrils thrashing against Kasady's body. He screamed in agony, his strength waning as the sound waves tore through him. With one final effort, he attempted to crawl away, but the group surrounded him, preventing any escape.

"It's over, Kasady," Tracy said, her voice heavy with emotion. "You have caused enough pain. It ends here."

Just as they thought they had secured victory, a portal opened nearby, revealing a cloaked figure. "Not so fast," the stranger intoned, stepping through the gateway. "This symbiote is valuable. I will take it from him."

Doctor Strange moved swiftly, creating a barrier between the newcomer and Kasady. "Who are you, and what do you want with the symbiote?" he asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

"I am Dormammu," the figure replied, his voice echoing with power. "And this symbiote will serve my purposes. Stand aside, or suffer the consequences."

The tension in the room reached a breaking point. Tracy exchanged glances with her friends, each knowing the gravity of the situation. They had come so far, faced unimaginable challenges, and now stood at the precipice of another battle.

"We won't let you take it," Tracy declared, stepping forward. "This symbiote may have chosen me, but it has become a part of us. We will protect it."

Dormammu chuckled darkly, raising his hand to unleash a torrent of dark energy. "Then you shall all perish together."

As the energy surged towards them, Doctor Strange intervened, casting a spell to deflect the attack. Sparks flew, illuminating the faces of the group in stark relief. They were united, their resolve unshaken.

"We need a plan," Ted whispered urgently, his eyes darting between Kasady and Dormammu. "We can't fight both of them at once."

"Focus on Kasady first," Robin suggested, nocking another arrow. "We weaken him, then deal with this Dormammu guy."

Agreement passed among them, swift and silent. They moved into position, each member prepared to execute their part. Tracy, feeling the symbiote's power coursing through her veins, readied herself for the onslaught.

With a battle cry, they launched their assault. Arrows flew, spells were cast, and fists landed with precision. Kasady, weakened by the sonic weapon, struggled to defend himself. Each hit chipped away at his resistance, until finally, he collapsed, the symbiote seeping out of him like liquid shadow.

Tracy stepped forward, her hand outstretched. The symbiote hesitated, torn between its former host and the woman who had fought so valiantly to protect it. Slowly, it flowed towards Tracy, merging with her once again.

Exhausted but victorious, they turned their attention to Dormammu. The being watched them with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. "You have proven resilient," he admitted. "But your efforts are futile. This world will fall under my dominion."

"Never," Tracy retorted, her voice ringing with conviction. "We will stand against you, just as we have stood against everything else that threatened us."

Dormammu inclined his head, a gesture that might have been respect. "Then let us see how long your defiance lasts." With those words, he vanished, the portal closing behind him.

Relief washed over them, palpable and overwhelming. They had survived, but at what cost? Tracy looked at her friends, their faces etched with fatigue and determination. They were a family, bound by trials and triumphs.

"What now?" Barney asked, his usual bravado diminished by the intensity of the battle.

"We rest," Tracy replied, her voice soft yet resolute. "We heal. And then, we prepare for whatever comes next."

They gathered together, a circle of strength amidst the ruins. Outside, the sun began to rise, casting a new day over the city they vowed to protect.

To be continue...

The battle with Kasady is over but there are seems to be threats on the horizon. Will the gang be able to face these challenges head on? What about Tracy? Will she be able to share her body with the symbiote and co-exist together? Or will she come to regret bonding with the symbiote? Brace yourselves, reader! As this story is far from over.

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