Episode 90: Sudden Apprenticeship!
"Peter Parker and his friends were brainwashed when they entered this town because of the controlling nature of the Westview Realm, but they snapped out of it because of the energy Monica produced after passing through the Hex Barrier twice," Wanda said. "Her molecules became destabilized, and now she can transform into a Marémon that can absorb energy and convert it into a power that repels that energy."
Monica looked surprised. "How do you know all of that?"
"I read your mind," Wanda said.
"But how can we know Monica is telling the truth?" Hayward said. "Unless she can prove it."
"Fine, I will," Monica said.
After Monica's eyes glowed blue, she was bathed in a bright light that made everyone close their eyes. But then just as quickly, the light died down. In Monica's place stood a flying squirrel with a white body and a black star-shaped symbol on its chest.
"No…," Hayward muttered, dropping his gun in surprise. "A human can't turn into a Marémon! This is witchcraft!"
Quickly, MJ took out her MarGuide tablet and searched through it till she found what she was looking for. "Actually, Monica's not the only person to have transformed into a Marémon. Lizrs are descended from a scientist who used a chemical formula to transform into a lizard-like Marémon, hence why they're called the Lizard Man Marémon. And the rat-like Marémon Veirman came from experiments that Team HYDRA did in the Second Marémon War to turn humans into Marémon for the sake of creating better soldiers."
"She's right," Doctor Strange said. "I learned about those Marémon in medical school, before I became a doctor and had my accident."
Peter knew the accident Strange mentioned was the car accident that permanently wrecked his hands so he couldn't perform neurosurgery anymore, which led him to traveling to the Kamar-Taj Village further north where he met Ancio and learned magic.
"Need any further proof, Hayward?" Nick Fury said. "And I suggest you tell your men to stand down, since you're not in a position to bargain now."
Hayward quickly realized he had dropped his gun and dejectedly signaled his men. In response, the men in black vests lowered their weapons allowing Peter, MJ, Felicia, Liz, and Thor to stand up along with the other Sokovia City citizens who had knelt down. While Hayward walked over to Nick Fury, the flying squirrel Marémon changed back into Monica.
"Where is the Witch you spoke of?" Strange asked Wanda.
"I used this book to strip Agatha of her magic and made her forget who she is," Wanda said, holding up the Darkhold.
Doctor Strange looked surprised. "That's the Darkhold! It's one of the most difficult spell-books to master, but you used it with ease?"
"Admittedly I had help from reading Agatha's mind earlier, which helped me create the Magic Runes I used to defeat her. I can share my memories of what she said to you, if you'll let me."
"How do I know this isn't a trick?"
Using her PDBs, Wanda recalled Witchlet and Quickze. "Does that make you feel better?"
"Only a little, so I'll have Straio stand beside you for extra security."
The blue and orange bipedal Marémon with the red cape walked over to Wanda and gave her a scrutinizing look.
"Fine," Wanda agreed.
She walked up to Doctor Strange and gave him the Darkhold. He then tucked it into the sash around his waist, and nodded. Wanda then held the sides of Strange's head and used her hypnotic power to share her memories of everything that happened in Westview including her battle with Agatha. Straio watched Wanda closely, as did Nick Fury.
"While I think you should've waited for me to question Agatha before you erased her memories, I understand why you did it in the moment," Strange said after Wanda lowered her hands. "Though maybe if we studied the Darkhold in more detail, there might be a way to reverse the spell you cast out of ignorance."
Hearing this, Wanda flinched. "What do you mean 'we'?"
"As of today, I am making you my apprentice," Strange announced.
"Rubbish!" Hayward snapped. "She needs to be locked up in Ryker's Island where she belongs with the other Marvo Region criminals!"
"You misunderstand my intentions, Hayward," Strange corrected. "This is my way of punishing Wanda for her actions in this town. Because if you recall, Realm Champions have the right to decide how to punish each other if one of them does something bad. Although if she decides not to be my apprentice, then she has no choice but to go to Ryker's Island. So what will it be, Wanda Maximoff?"
Briefly, Wanda looked around and then back at Doctor Strange. "I choose to be your apprentice. Because I want to learn more about these latent powers of mine, though I imagine you're not going to make it easy for me."
"You can count on that," replied Strange.
Then Wanda nodded solemnly. Meanwhile, Nick Fury pushed Hayward toward Straio's Sling Ring portal and waved at Hayward's men to follow him. So the men got in their jeeps and drove through the portal, which Straio expanded with a wave of his hands. Wanda and Strange waited for them to go through before they approached the portal.
"I would advise you to come with us, Thor Odinson," Strange said to Thor.
"Why?" Thor asked.
"Your father Odin didn't return to New Asgard Town after he was interrogated by Nick Fury outside of La Vie City, so he's missing too," Strange reported. "We could use your help in finding him."
For a moment, Thor looked at Peter and MJ.
"Don't let us stop you from leaving," MJ insisted. "I know you care about your father a lot."
"Plus, we can communicate to you with our phones," Peter said, holding up his smartphone. "Assuming you have a phone yourself."
"Fortunately, I grabbed mine from the Asgard Realm before leaving," Thor said, revealing an older cellphone. "So we'll definitely keep in touch."
"We're going to miss you," MJ said, abruptly hugging Thor. "You and your Marémon have been great companions."
As Peter hugged Thor too, Thor pinched MJ and Peter's shoulders. "Hopefully, I won't be gone too long. Because I enjoy traveling with you guys."
To be continued…
