Age of Redemption

Chapter 3

The two headed through the snowy streets of New York towards the Sanctum Sanctorum. Both were holding each other's hands tightly with every step that they took. But as they had to stop in the streets awaiting for the traffic light to turn, they couldn't help but notice old J. Jonah Jameson on the screen.

"My fellow New Yorkers. You are very well aware of the wall crawling Spider-Menace swinging through the city. A bunch of you may still be living in fear after what he did to Mysterio," he started. Peter and Wanda rolled their eyes, wishing the traffic light would quickly turn. "Well fear not , because I am currently in the process of trying to rid this wall crawling menace once and for all! Soon, no more Spider-Man," he finished with a gleeful smile.

"What's he talking about?" Wanda asked, looking at Peter in concern. "What could he possibly be planning?"

Peter looked at her with an equally concerned expression and said, "Your guess is as good as mine."

Looks like he had to keep a lookout for what Jameson had planned for him.

"But as horrible as Spider-Man is, we have another threat on the horizon," Jameson continued. "Last night, it was reported that two criminals robbing a jewelry store were found in an alleyway near the store......decapitated. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, this marks the seventh time in the last year that these incidents keep occurring. Yet oddly enough, they only keep happening to crooks. Whoever is responsible for these sick and demented murders must have in their minds some strange form of justice. Wait a minute......a thought just occurred to me as to who is responsible! Yes it makes sense who is responsible for these murders, the same person who was responsible for the loss of Mysterio! Say it with me! SPIDER.....MAN!!!!"

"You know, I find it comical," Peter whispered with a smile as the light turned and they could finally cross. "He has a strange way of somehow, someway taking anything and blaming it on me."

"You call it comical, I call it pathetic," Wanda said with a look of disgust at the billboard Jameson's face was on. "But I am getting concerned about those murders Peter. Who knows when they next one will appear?"

"And who will be the next victim?" Peter added. "So far the only victims have been criminals, but what if it's an innocent bystander next?"

"Right," Wanda said, nodding her head.

"And besides, killing people is not a humane form of justice most of the time. I know they're criminals who need to pay for their crimes, but this......this is something messed up," Peter said, shaking his head.

"Speaking of being messed up," Wanda said, stopping in her tracks and looking up. Peter followed her gaze. They were right in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum. "We've arrived."

"It'll be alright," Peter said to Wanda, grabbing her hand tightly. But he was partially talking to himself to try and convince himself the same thing.

"I hope so," Wanda said with an extremely nervous expression.

They both walked up the steps to the Sanctum and knocked on th door. Within a few seconds, the door opened and out came Wong. His face was stoic as he gazed upon the two.

"Can I help you?" He asked.

"Hello Wong," Wanda said. "Is Stephen here?"

Wong hesitated as he stared at Wanda. "Stephen!" he called out behind him.

In a second or two, Doctor Strange himself came out of the Sanctum and looked at the two. A look of recognition came across his face when he looked at Wanda. But no recognition came when he looked at Peter, as expected.

"Wanda," He simply said in a low and cautious voice.

"Hello Stephen," Wanda said in a small voice. "Can.....can we come in?"