THE APPRENTICE III

14

Author: I would also like to say that I...did what I could, given the material. DS2 was...something. I'll just try and make it up with her original story after this plot line.

The bells of the monastery rang as the masters of the London and Hong-Kong sanctum gathered. The fires of the monastery were lit up, archers on every wall, students lined up like an army. Strange watched curiously as Hazel levitated from a distance, a familiar, lotus-like sigil surrounding each side of the building.

"It's your sigil." He pieced together as she flew down to their sides. There was hesitation in his voice, still firm and cold. He took the pendant of his necklace in his thumb and pointer finger. "You put one on the necklace and on the ring,"

"You should learn it." She said, being careful not to show any softness in her voice. She put her chin up higher and added, to eliminate sentiment. "All of you,"

"If the time we're different, I'd congratulate you." Wong gave her a small nudge and she smirked a little. It turned into a small frown— she didn't imagine her telling them about it would be this...negative.

"Congratulations." Stephen muttered coldly as he passed by her, then placed himself beside Wong, the sorcerer supreme acting as a barrier between the two.

"Thanks." They exchanged a quick glance, the meeting of their eyes sending pain in their hearts. 

Hazel glued her eyes to her shoes until black fog began to surround the entire building, marking the witch's arrival. There were sounds of wailing and, because of her sensitivity to energies, she could feel the weight of darkness from a mile away. Wanda levitated towards them, now dressed in a dark and sinister red, her eyes darker and her skin, pale.

"Choose your words wisely, the fate of the universe depends on it." Wong coached to the man.

"Got it. No pressure, then."

Stephen floated to the air and Wong gave a small sigh. He contemplated for a moment before he looked at Wolfe.

"Hazel, you better come with him." He whispered and squeezed her arm, then met eyes with her. "I'm counting on you to be the bigger person. You can do this."

She didn't have to be told twice. She gave him a smile and a nod. Golden light flowed from her hands as she floated in the air and tailed the man.

"I blew a hole through the head of the man I love, and it meant nothing. Do not speak to me about sacrifice, Stephen Strange." The scarlet with spat and Hazel appeared behind him.

Seeing her now, the darkness was even more apparent. It was almost baffling, she could barely recognize her. She couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

"Wanda?" Her tone sounded far less firm than she anticipated, clearly caught off guard. The woman leaned and made eye contact with her, twisting her head a little like a curious animal. "I...don't know...why...,"

"You grew up." She gave a small chuckle.

Strange  defensively positioned himself in front of her, but Hazel overtook him to get closer. He exhaled through his nose, frustrated. It was like watching a little lamb stick its head inside a wolf's mouth.

"I'd ask if you if you were okay, but...I think that'd be a dumb question." She thought out loud.

There was a sad laugh from the woman that urged her to chuckle along. She couldn't tell if she would be offended if she did, but couldn't help it. It was, in a strange way, endearing.

"I...will never feel the way you did. I lost Stephen, I lost my family, but...I got them back, you never did,"

"Hazel." Stephen warned, but she shook her head.