My eyes close, falling into half-meditation, as the couple before me talk quietly; Vision telling what he knows of Taoism, Wanda listening with interest and questioning when curious. I keep some attention on the outside world, feeling the passing of trees and towns beyond the glass, the train making its way to Alnmouth, the first stop on our five hour journey, as I reach deep inside. Focusing on the information I need, I try and bring it to the surface, grasping the vague memories, attempting to bring clarity.
Infusing them with Chi, illuminating them, I capture them in hold and enhance their lucidity, starting to recall, then open my eyes. Leaning forward, I pick up my pen and start writing, documenting all I know of Thanos and his forces, the Black Order and armies. Writing the name of the Mad Titan at the top of the page, I begin by recording my understanding of his history and actions, emphasising his evident nature as a force of death. When lettering his personality and philosophy, I give my own impressions, along with the reasoning behind his deeds, as vile as they may be.
Adding his powers and weaknesses, I hesitate on whether to include what I know of his abilities from the comics, before deciding to add his potential magical prowess, leaving the more of his cosmic powers absent. Finishing with an add of details and corrections, I draw and carve a series of flowing runes, their points dull and their lines smooth, creating a stable projection to be activated by whoever. Done, I flip to the next page and go to write about his Children, when an action of Vision from the corner of my eyes makes me whip my head up.
Dropping the pen, I flick my hand out, grabbing onto his yellow-glowing wrist, a frown on my brow, a serious expression on my face, as I tell him, "No." Channelling my Chi into him, I disperse the gathering of his own, guiding it back to his Dantian, then release him and sit back, admonishing him, "I know you want to experiment, I wished to when I first awakened my Chi, but you do not know what you're doing," dropping my frown, I continue, "Now isn't the time, okay? Wait until we're settled in London; I'll be able to tutor you properly once there."
Vision nods, turning over his wrist, then apologises, "Forgive me, if you would. The changes I can feel in my physiology... I could not help myself." Taking my pen back in hand, I turn back to my book, saying,
"I understand, Vision, truly," I glance back up at him, tucking loose hair over my ear, "But it's a gradual process, one that requires patience and commitment. It's not something you can go into willy-nilly." I watch his face, reading what I can of it, seeing his acceptance of my warning, then carry on writing, creating dossiers for my future allies.
...
After many hours, the day turning to dusk, the journey tiring and the conversation sparse, we step off the train into King's Cross. Turning right to the exit, leaving the locomotive behind us, I stretch, my arms pulled above my head, and groan, "I miss being able to just…" I fling out a hand, "Portal everywhere."
To the left of me walks Wanda, a yawn escaping her, before she asks, her voice curious, "You can teleport?" I look to her, making sure not to bump into anyone, and clarify,
"Not teleport, per se; portal. When my magic was working, I could just spin a hand and open a gate to anywhere in the physical universe," I sigh out, playing it up, "Now I'm stuck walking among the…" I gesture out, "peasantry." Wanda laughs at my words, causing me to smile at her, before I catch a passing older woman giving me evils and huffing. I roll my eyes at her, the snobbish not worth consideration, as we exit the station, the clock of St. Pancras greeting us to our right.
Stopping on the corner, a coffee shop next to us, I turn to them and ask, seeking their opinion, "So, the Sanctum is about two miles from here; do youse two want to walk or catch a cab?"
Wanda replies, confused, "A cab?" Looking to her, it takes me a second to parse her meaning, when I explain,
"A taxi."
She nods at me, new knowledge taken and stored, then says, "I wouldn't mind the walk, it will be nice to take in the city." Vision indicates his own agreement with a tilt of his head, so I look between them, mapping the route in mind, telling,
"Right then, follow me," turning back, I start walk, warning them over my shoulder, "Try not to get lost, and ignore anyone who tries to talk to you; they're either trying to sell you something, or you've been marked an easy target." Sensing as they share a concerned glance, I venture forward, leading them across the road and down the street opposite, passing two rows of home-housed hotels, each looking to profit from tired travellers.
I give a decent tour to the two as we walk, moving passed a series of gardens, Brunswick and Queen, pointing out things I recognise and know of, until we reach Kingsway. Walking down the tree-lined thoroughfare, I stop off into a café, buying a sleeve of hot doughnuts and a tea, getting Wanda a coffee, then press on, eating all the while. As we approach Bush House, she finishes a sip of her drink and asks me a question, one that's been playing at her, "What is it with you and food?"
My mouth half-stuffed with pastry, another in hand, I look to her wide-eyed, then quickly chew and swallow, answering, "Where I live, where my home and family are, I'm separated from modern food and favourites," I raise a doughnut, offering it to her. She takes it with a smile as I say, "I'm gonna miss it all when I return, so…" I shrug. From my right, a little behind, Vision inquires,
"And where is home for you, Sarah?"
I move on in silence for a moment, leading the onto Strand, heartache welling, when I describe, "...In a distant era, beneath a sacred mountain, lies a temple, home to the most empathetic people you could ever hope to meet," I pause, gathering myself as we pass the Savoy, turning down Carting, "There, they accept any and all wanderers, caring for the orphans of the surrounding villages, offering shelter and comfort; the Taoist way." The faces of the priests, of my Master, of Shi Min, flash through my mind, longing aching my spirit.
Taking a deep breath, biting into another doughnut as we come to Victoria Embankment, entering the gardens and walking along the Thames, I explain, "I've been away for nearly five years now, unable to return due to… circumstances, and I miss them greatly." The free hand of Wanda, her treat finished, settles on my arm, comfort conveyed. Looking at her in thanks, I finish as we reach our destination, a large, gothic, Italianate building on the corner of two streets, the Seal of the Vishanti displayed at its highest point, "I'll reunite with the soon enough, when this mess is cleared up."
Stopping a few meters away form the wooden, double front-doors, I turn to the two, apology on my face, and tell, "You'll need to stay out for a now, until I can contact the Supreme; you alright with that?"
Vision nods in acceptance, as Wanda says, "That's fine."
Thanking them, I walk up to the doors and press my hand against one, letting the building read me, its entrance clicking open, welcoming me inside. Patting the frame, greeting the building, I enter its domain, stepping into a small vestibule; glass-paned, dark-wood doors separating me from the wide corridor beyond. The entrance behind me closes with a click, shutting out the city, as I brush my boots on the mat below, respecting the sanctity of this place of power.
Opening the next doors, I stand atop a dark Persian rug and look through the doored paths on either side. Finding no one, I place my hands in my pockets, content to wait, and begin to eye the décor. I take in the polished, wooden tables on both sides of the hall, shaded-lamps alight on their surfaces, and the dips in the right wall, each home to large mirrors for the more vain of sorcerers, I suppose. At the end of the corridor stands a familiar sight; a stone-doored, Seal engraved portal to the Intersection, home to the Orb of Agamotto.
Rocking back on forth on my heels, I pause, a thought coming to me. Lifting a booted-foot, I lightly tap in on the floor, a pulse of Chi rippling outwards, a map of the building appearing in mind, rooms and items outlined, two legs standing. Finding who I'm looking for, I manipulate the Chi under him, swirling it and making it rise, a thumbs up forming before him, gesturing downstairs. I feel him startle, hear the quickening of footsteps above as he races, rushing down, a nearing stomping of shoes on stairs sounding.
Following his path, I look to the left, matching his pace, when he shows beyond the door, marching to it and swinging it open. As he stares at me with a heated face, his complexion red, I stare at him in feigned surprise, then inform, "I have a parcel for a… er, Doctor Stephen Strange; Sorcerer Supreme? That you?" A perplexed expression crosses his visage, his lip twisting, a sudden worry showing in his dark eyes, before he calms himself. With one hand behind his back, he approaches me, looking me over, answering,
"There is no one her by that name, miss… Whoever you are."
I offer him a confused look, lowering my hands and making a show of pulling my notebook from under my jumper, then opening it to a blank page, focusing on the imaginary words. Glancing back up at him, I tell, a disbelieving tone in my voice, "Are you sure? My client assured me that the recipient would be here." A curious, caution look flashes in his eyes, as he reluctantly asks,
"And who, pray tell, is your… client?"
Giving my best, most professional smile, I reply, "Why, the Vishanti of course."
A quiet moment lingers, my meaning not reaching the London Master, before a barely noticeable widening of his eyes is exposed, a tightening of his bearded jaw quickly passing. Lowering his hidden hand, he breathes out, ordering me, "Wait here." I nod at him as he enters back the way he came, tracking him as he moves out of sight, stopping deep within the Sanctum, a small emanation of sorcery reaching me. He stays there, fidgeting, waiting, until half a minute later, when a portal opens up next to him.
Out steps the figure of my old friend Stephen, Eye of Agamotto around his neck, Cloak of Levitation over his shoulders. The London Master speaks to him quietly, reporting the situation, Stephen nodding along, bemusement growing over him. As the bearded fellow leads him to my position, I step back, obscuring myself slightly, then wait, anticipation rising. The Master comes through first, staring at me all the while, when Stephen emerges, his face serious.
That expression drops as catches sight of me, the tension visibly leaving his body as he sighs, bringing a hand up to rub at his brow, talking to himself, "How did I not expect this?" Dropping his hand, he locks his gaze on me, reprimanding, "Can you not mess with the Masters, Sarah?" Laughing lightly, I move to him, whipping my arms out and wrapping them round him, catching him in a hug, speaking into his shoulder,
"Missed me?"
He reluctantly pats my back, the gesture awkward, before I release him, freeing him from my clutches. Stepping back, I look down at him as he stares back, a concerned look in his eyes as he tells me, "I thought something had happened to you; that you'd died." His worry warms my heart, our burgeoning friendship a comfort in this foreign timeline.
Stephen turns to the Master, telling him who I am and apologising, a half-smile on his face, "Ignore this one, she thinks she's funny. I'll take over from here, you can go back to what you were doing." The Master glances at me, scrutinising me, then bows, one hand on his stomach,
"Of course, Sorcerer Supreme."
I ignore him as he leaves, the door closing behind him, keeping my sight on Stephen, asking, "Do they have to call you that every time?" I mimic the bow, exaggerating the movements, one arm flourished to the side, mocking, "O great Supreme." I hold the posture for a moment, then look up, amusement in my eyes, watching him, before straightening.
Stephen rolls his eyes at me, explaining, "As much as I don't like it, it's ancient custom." He pauses, his serious demeanour returning, questioning me, his tone soft, "...Where have you been? After we realised you were missing, Wong and I tried for days to divine you, but found nothing; you just vanished."
The knowledge that they at least tried to find me eliminates the tiny amount of anger I buried deep inside, as I sigh, telling, "This thing," I raise my arm, pulling back the sleeve and revealing the Vermilion Bird, "tried to assist me when I had a brief spur of enlightenment, but fucked up, causing me to fall into conceptual reality and be exposed to the spirit of the Sun, Apalla." A grave expression grows on Stephens face as he listens, "I almost died, but she saved me, leading these to form," I wriggle my fingers, cracks showing,
"Thankfully, she placed me back on Earth, dropping me on the shores of Edinburgh, two months in the future." I stress the time elapsed, "For me, only a day has passed since we last saw each other." Stephen takes in my explanation, then moves back, bands of magic forming around his arms as he casts, rings floating around me and lining the walls. Dropping his hands, he brings them to the Eye and gestures, opening it, the Time Stone shining back. I make no moves as a green Mandala manifests before him, his voice intoning, "Temporal Tides of Thoth!"
Ripples appear in the space around me, the light of a distant moon shining through, as invisible steps crease the floor behind Stephen, approaching him. They stop by his legs, a vague shape hiding, when a black-skinned, long-beaked head pokes out, its dark eyes observing me. It struts out, its head bobbing, its neck reaching into a white plumage, its tail and wing-ends as black as its body, moving slowly towards me. The bird, an Ibis of some kind, pivots its head, looking around and behind me, an examining intent to it's movements.
It stops before me, pecking at my illusioned jeans, then tilts up and pokes into my jumper. Getting an idea on what it wants, I reach under and pull out my stored food, picking out my last pastry. Crouching down, I offer it to the bird, its beak opening and grasping, then turning back and walking away. It stops by Stephen, who looks down at it attentively, and shakes its head, a breath of relief leaving him at its action. Looking back at me, the bird nods, before continuing on, disappearing in between seconds, the ripples fading with it.
I relax, a certain level of apprehension unknowingly having filled me, and question, "...What just happened?" Stephen closes the Eye, his hands passing over, as answers,
"I was making sure there were no consequences to your time-travel, either personal and worldly." Standing, I thank him and go to finally explain my reasoning for being here, when he nods towards the door to the Intersection, saying, "Come with me back to Kamar-Taj; Wong will be happy to see you." As he starts to walk, the stone starting to part, the Seal splitting, I hurriedly speak out towards him,
"I can't, not yet." He turn to me in surprise as I expand, "When I landed in Scotland, I intended to make my here soon as, when, wouldn't you know it, I ran into two fugitive Avengers." A raised eyebrow meets my words, an interested gleam in his eyes, as I make my way to the entrance, waving him over. He follows me, meeting me at the door, my hand placed on its wood as I reveal, "Vision, that robot fellow; and Wanda Maximoff, or, as you might prefer to know her as…" I push, the door opening, two faces meeting us, "The Scarlet Witch."
Wanda stares at us confusedly, raising her hand and giving a little wave. Smiling at her, I wave back, as Stephen stares at her intently, a deep frown on his brow, before he glances at me, underlining, "No." He goes to head back in, cape fluttering, when I grab his arm, making him stop and look back. Staring him in the eyes, conveying my seriousness, I tell him,
"Yes." I turn to Wanda, who's moved closer to Vision, and hold up a hand, reassuring her, then informing the sorcerer, "I've already told her of her magic and of the why, Gods and all. She deserves to be trained, Stephen, especially with what's coming." I release his arm, "If you could at least hear me out, there is much I need to tell you." I watch the internal indecision cross his face, his eyes solemn, before he bites out, clearly unhappy with me,
"Fine." He spins a hand, a sparking portal forming, the New York Sanctum visible, then steps through, keeping it open as he moves away. I look to the couple, Wanda nervous and Vision composed, and motion them inside, saying
"Don't mind him, he's got a lot of responsibilities; include protecting the Earth from..." I give a pointed look to Wanda, "Mystical threats. It'll be fine though, I'll get through to him." I tread the path, walking through the portal, waiting for them to join me. Once they do, Vision looking around with curiosity, I tell them, "Take a seat and make yourself comfortable, I'll go find Stephen." I start to make off, when I think better, remembering to warn them, "Ah, also, try not to touch anything out-of-the-ordinary looking; you might be cursed, or be transporting to the end of time."
Wanda looks at me wide-eyed, causing me to shrug, "It's up in the air, really. There's a lot of power here; some divine, majority magical, and some… less than kosher artefacts dotted about." After making sure they understand, I head off, stopping at the top of the stairs and repeating my mapping trick, Chi running through the Sanctum. Detecting two human-shaped figures, one taller, the other wider, on the floor above, I make my way to them, figuring out what to say, what needs explaining.
Taking the stairs, stepping atop the open space, relic plastered around, I stop before a door, the two on the other side, their quiet voices reaching me, and knock. I cycle my Chi, calming my nerves, as the door creaks open, the face of Wong showing, "Sarah," he nods, "you decided to return I see." He checks me over, "Not without some struggle, it seems." Smiling at him, I pull him into a quick hug, saying sincerely,
"I've missed you Wong." I let go, "Don't tell Stephen there," I glance behind at the watching Supreme, "but I much prefer you." He chuckles, guiding me into the room, its layout similar to the sitting room, all rugs and diamond-paned windows, old furniture arranged. Dropping down into a seat, I rub my hands together and stare up at the two, slightly anxious. Wong sits on the sofa opposite, getting comfy, as Stephen remains standing, his arms behind his back.
"Well?" He asks, "Do tell." I place my hands on my knees, a mix of truth and tale forming, then begin, "Wanda downstairs is the Scarlet Witch, as foretold in the Darkhold." Wong leans forward, his face solemn, confirming,
"Are you certain?"
Nodding to him, I clarify, "I've felt her untrained energy, and it's most definitely Chaos Magic, no doubt." Hearing me, Stephen asks,
"While Chaos Magic is certainly rare, how does Wanda's possession of it manifest as her being the Scarlet Witch?" Staring into his eyes, I take a deep breath, leaning on my acting, then,
"Because I've been to Mount Wundagore, seen the engravings on its vile walls, so I recognised her on sight."
Wong reacts, "What?" He asks, before I continue,
"Yeah, there was a demon running rampage near it, so me and a few Masters hunted it. We cornered it and attempted to banish it, when it fled up the mountain and into Darkhold Castle. It was slain before it could completed its summoning ritual, nearly bringing that Chaos God fucker onto the Material Plane." Stephen drops his hands with a sigh and takes a seat next to Wong, nudging him to side and resting a foot on his knees, bracing his cheek on a palm, warning,
"If you know of her connection to the God of Chaos, then you must also understand the danger she poses. She's more powerful than most everyone with only her current power, if she should come into her magic as well…" He trails off, a grave atmosphere settling in the room, before I interrupt,
"That's exactly why she needs to," taking my hands off my knees as they look to me in confusion, I lean back, "There is a force out in the universe known as Thanos, and he's…" I stop, annoyed, instead standing and saying, "Actually, no. I'm sick of repeating myself." Moving to the door, I open it and look back to the two, "Follow me, please; we're gonna need to gather the others before I explain." They stand, hesitantly doing as I ask, trailing after as I lead.
Rejoining the couple, we find them talking softly, looking about the room, pointing and discussing. Vision is the first to see us, standing from his seat with a questioning expression, Wanda not far behind. Stopping before them, I tell her, a smile on my face, "I've managed to convince Stephen here to accept you as a novice of the Masters of the Mystic Arts." I see from the corner of my eye as he stares at me warningly, but ignore him, instead watching as relief comes over Wanda. Job done, I step back, letting Stephen take over, a glare directed at me as he starts,
"...It is as Sarah says. As Sorcerer Supreme, it is my duty to protect the Earthly Dimension from threats, including those coming from within. Due to being the Scarlet Witch, the vessel of the God of Chaos, your magical potential is among the greatest across realities, making you one of those threats." I peer at him, knowing where he's going with this, as Wanda shifts in a more ready state, "But, under our tutelage, we shall train you to harness your magic and shield your soul from corruption.
"When the time comes for your patron to take your body, possessing it as his physical vessel in the material world, we shall assist you in repelling him. That, I can promise." He smiles at her, attempting to put her at ease, "If we fail, then at least we have given you the tools to combat him." As he finishes, I give a small round of applause, praising,
"Truly inspiring, Stephen." A scowl is given in response, before, "I'm sorry, be we need to get a move on; time's a-wasting." I gesture out to the side, rotating a finger, "If you would…?" He stares at me blankly, making me realise, "Ah. Portal to Captain America?" A sigh releases from him as he stretches a hand out, when he stops, slowly turning to me, a smirk on his lips, offering,
"Actually, Sarah, why don't you give it a go?" I narrow my eyes at him, replying,
"You know I can't. What are you trying to pull?"
He extends an arm out to me, nodding to it and requesting. A small hope in heart, I follow along, stepping forward and carefully grabbing the limb, where Stephen holds his free hand over our connection, a slight glow starting to emanate. Warmth spreads from where I'm touching, a tingle running under my skin and whirling through me. It climbs over my shoulder, across my neck and through my throat, touching my brain and entering my Upper Dantian.
A gasp escapes me as my spirit alights, a previous dim spark reawakening, a faint burst of sorcery erupting from me, my clothes flapping and the floor shaking. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and centre myself, mediation running at maximum depth, then open, the smiling face of Stephen staring back. I speak, an incredulous voice issuing, "What did you do?" He steps back, coming to a stop beside Wong, and replies,
"Why don't you see for yourself?" I hold his gaze, anticipation welling, then turn out, facing away from the group. Channelling my magic, noting the absence of pain and injury, I activate the Ring of Containment for the first time in months and pull my Sling Ring from it. Sliding it over my fingers, my hand trembling, I look back to Stephen, whispering,
"Don't tell Wong there," a chuckle leaves him, "but I much prefer you." Wong snorts in laughter, then gestures for me to carry on.
Holding the Sling Ring before me, I rotate my other hand, a destination in mind, the magic reading my intention. A sparking ring gradually forms, my skills a bit rusty, before expanding out; the cabin of a small aircraft visible beyond, a red, white, and blue shield appearing, a star in its centre. A pair of dark-blue uniformed legs stand below it, when a blonde, bearded, famous face peeks over the top, staring at me warily. Lowering my hands, I give the man, Steve Rogers, a wave and a smile, saying,
"Hey, how you doing?"