Maya Stark

Chapter 144: Did I Mention Strange Sucks?

Spoiler alert: I didn't push the thoughts out. The feeling of insanity didn't go away. Nothing was the same. Even my room was missing something. Three days went by. Three days of seeing that boy's face. Three days of recreating that stupid spider necklace that creeps into my dreams. Three days of wishing for anybody to tell me something. Three days of locking myself up in the garage working on anything and everything.

It took three days until Pepper banned me from the garages. She made me sit in the living room with her and Morgan, which wasn't really a punishment at all. Morgan was the sweetest and I enjoyed spending time with both of them. It was the thing that felt the most normal, the thing that made the headaches go away if only for a second.

'So, what have you been doing in the garage for three days?' Pepper asked as she watched me mess with Legos.

I shrug. 'Building. Researching. Working on some new tech and everything.'

'Usually, when your dad locked himself in his workplace it meant something bad was coming,' Pepper said, looking down.

I sigh and drop the Legos. 'I'm just trying to learn more about these headaches. About... my mind, I guess. Nothing bad is happening.'

'Happy said you went to see Strange.'

I shake my head. 'Of course, he did. You don't have to worry. He already said he wouldn't help with anything I need.'

'And what do you need help with?'

'Nothing. You don't have to worry about me, Pep. All we need to worry about is Morganism here.'

I tickle Morgan making her laugh and Pepper scrunches her nose at the terrible nickname.

'Why do you call her that?' Pepper asks.

'I don't know, it's funny,' I say. 'Nicknames are kind of a Stark thing.'

Pepper scoffed. 'Yeah yeah I know that. It seems you have a nickname for everyone. What do you call Sam again?'

'Birdie,' I say instantly. 'Though now he's a bird with a shield so it isn't the same.'

Morgan tugs on my sleeve and shows me the mini R2-D2 she built. All by herself.

'You're teaching her well,' Pepper said, smiling.

I shrug. 'I got a good teacher.'

Almost as if the universe could sense the happiness in me, it immediately said no. Orange sparks appear in the air, my heart dropping as I swallow my nervousness. Why would Strange be coming to see me? Why would he need my help now after he kicked me out? Why did he have to show up at my house?

'I thought you said everything was fine?' Pepper asked, voice tight.

'I thought it was,' I respond quietly.

The sparks grew and Strange stepped into our house. He looked guilty.

I stand up and so does Morgan, hugging my leg and hiding in my presence. She was shy around new people, no longer able to trust everyone she met. I put my hand on her head, comforting her as much as I could.

'I'm sorry to barge in,' he said, more to Pepper. 'I wouldn't have come if it wasn't a dire situation.'

'What's going on, Strange?' I ask, skeptical.

'Do you have time to sit down?' he asked.

'Do I have a choice?' I scoff.

I rotate Morgan gently, nudging her towards the kitchen. I took her arms in my hand and moved her like a puppet, making her laugh and willingly follow. When we reach the kitchen and sit down, Morgan is quick to climb into my lap. Though she is getting older, the fact that she still wants to sit in my lap is almost enough to make me cry. I wrap my arms around her to make sure she doesn't fall.

'What do you know about the Multiverse?' Strange asked after we were all settled.

I hesitate, still skeptical. 'Some theories, nothing too extreme. Dad had his views and Vision had his thoughts, but other than that I've never had experience with it.'

Strange's face ticks slightly and I couldn't place the slight slip of his expression. I didn't have the energy to push it.

'Do you know the dream theory?'

I shake my head.

'It's hypothesized that your dreams are of a different version of yourself in a different universe. That every dream you have is actually happening somewhere in the multiverse.'

'Okay...' I nod. 'Why are we talking about this?'

'The theory? It was just proven true.'

My brain short circuits for a second. This opens up a whole world of possibilities for scientists... for me. The idea of infinite universes has always interested me for reasons I've never really understood, but I knew this was important.

'Are you joking?' I say, sarcastically.

'I'm not,' he said. 'I assume you saw that alien thing on the news?'

'I did,' Pepper said. 'You fought that thing well. I knew you'd be coming here at some point.'

'I wouldn't be coming to Maya if it wasn't for her persuasive attitude that I so desperately need. With this monster, came a girl. A kid. 14 or so. She has the ability to move through every reality. And monsters are coming after her. She's being hunted.'

My grip tightens on Morgan. 'Only 14? Jesus.'

'I know,' Strange said. 'I need your help for two reasons. You could help the girl understand her powers, or at the very least you look after her. Her name is America, and I think she'd like you.'

'That's doable,' I nod. 'And the second?'

'I need your help to get Wanda to help us.'

I stare blankly at him. He was being serious.

I hadn't seen or heard from Wanda since the funeral, which seems like forever ago. I thought I'd have her forever when she hugged me and I felt comfort for the first time.

And then she left. She didn't tell me where she was going. She imprisoned a whole town. And there's now nothing I can do about it, because I don't know where she is.

'I don't know where she is,' I whisper.

'I do,' said Strange. 'I just want you to come because she'll be more likely to agree. You can say no.'

I look at Pepper and let out a sigh. She looked tired. Tired of me leaving.

'Can you go in the living room and play?' I whisper to Morgan softly.

She nods and hops off my lap. I wait for her to disappear before turning back to the conversation.

'What exactly are we asking Wanda to do?'

'Work with you to protect the kid,' he said. 'If anybody knows how it feels, it would be the two of you.'

'Can we even trust Wanda?'

Strange shrugs. 'I think so. She seemed to have changed. Are you in?'

I look to Pepper waiting for something. Anything. She gives me a slight nod and that's enough for me to make my decision. Maybe if I can get back on Strange's good side, he'll trust me enough to tell me what's going on in my head.

'Okay,' I sigh. 'Okay, I'm in. What's first?'

'First, is to go to Wanda,' Strange said. 'We need her to protect America. Some demon is hunting her for her powers.'

'And you think me and Wanda can prevent her from being taken?' I ask.

'I think you could prevent it yourself. But... you work better in a team, Stark. You know that. And you and Wanda together are invincible. So, I want to get her on our side before something worse can happen.'

I nod. 'Let's go then.'