When two worlds collide

Chapter 9

The clash of magic echoed through the set, sending violent ripples of energy into the air. Y/N stood their ground, heart hammering in their chest as the world seemed to fracture around them. Wanda and the dark doppelgänger's powers collided, red and black streaks of light swirling in a chaotic dance.

But Y/N knew they couldn't just stand and watch. This was no ordinary fight; this was personal—this was *themself* on the other side, twisted by some dark force, trying to take everything Y/N had built. No matter how terrifying that was, they had to do something. Their resolve steeled, Y/N glanced at the equipment nearby. Years of being a stunt double had taught them how to improvise, how to think on their feet. And right now, that was their greatest asset.

"Wanda!" Y/N called out, but their voice was drowned by the sound of crackling magic. They quickly grabbed a thick, coiled rope from a pile of gear and sprinted toward the edge of the set. Wanda needed to keep the doppelgänger busy for just a few seconds longer—just enough time for Y/N to set up their move.

Y/N scaled one of the set's large scaffolding structures, adrenaline pumping through their veins as they tied the rope into a secure loop. They had to get higher, gain some leverage over the doppelgänger. This was a fight on two fronts: Wanda's magic, and Y/N's own skills—unconventional but effective.

The scaffolding creaked under their weight, but Y/N didn't slow down. The higher they climbed, the clearer the battlefield below became. Wanda was holding her own, but the doppelgänger was relentless, mimicking every move she made with a dark mirror image of her powers. They couldn't hold this stalemate forever.

Y/N tightened their grip on the rope, looping it through the scaffolding, ready to swing down and strike. Timing was everything. They had to trust Wanda to give them an opening.

And then it came.

Wanda unleashed a powerful blast of energy, throwing the doppelgänger off balance for just a moment. It was all Y/N needed.

They leaped from the scaffolding, swinging down with the rope in hand like a wrecking ball. The force of their momentum collided with the doppelgänger, sending both of them tumbling to the ground in a tangle of limbs and snarling magic. The impact jarred Y/N's body, but they gritted their teeth and rolled with it, coming up in a defensive stance.

The doppelgänger rose to their feet, shaking off the hit like it was nothing, their dark gaze locking onto Y/N with a predatory intensity. "Impressive," the doppelgänger sneered, dark energy crackling at their fingertips. "But it won't be enough."

Y/N could feel their heart pounding in their chest, but they forced a grin, masking their fear with the same sarcastic bravado that had carried them through so many dangerous stunts. "Yeah, well, I never play it safe."

Wanda rushed to Y/N's side, her magic still flaring around her. "Are you okay?"

Y/N nodded, their breath coming in short, quick bursts. "Yeah. But I'm guessing we're going to need more than just a good swing to stop this version of me."

The doppelgänger raised a hand, and a thick pulse of dark energy began to gather in their palm. The ground beneath them rumbled as the energy swirled, growing stronger, more dangerous. "You have no idea what's coming," the doppelgänger hissed, their voice filled with venom. "This reality isn't yours anymore. It's mine."

Wanda stepped forward, her expression hardening as she prepared to counter the attack. "Not if we have anything to say about it."

But before the doppelgänger could unleash their attack, the air around them shimmered, warping in a way that made Y/N's stomach churn. It felt like the very fabric of reality was being stretched, pulled apart like fraying threads.

And then, in an instant, the doppelgänger was gone—vanished into thin air.

The sudden stillness was disorienting. The hum of magic in the air faded, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. Y/N blinked, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

"Where did they go?" Y/N asked, their voice barely a whisper.

Wanda's eyes narrowed as she scanned the space around them, her hands still glowing with magic in case of another attack. "I don't know. They just...disappeared. But that kind of magic—it's not teleportation. It's something else. Something dangerous."

Y/N took a shaky breath, their pulse still racing. "So, they're not gone. Just hiding."

Wanda nodded grimly. "And they're not done. Whoever—or whatever—that doppelgänger is, they'll be back. Stronger."

The weight of her words settled over Y/N like a heavy cloak. This wasn't over. If anything, it was only just beginning.

Suddenly, Agent Carr appeared, stepping out from the shadows with an expression of thinly veiled triumph. He hadn't lifted a finger during the battle, and Y/N could feel the frustration bubbling up inside them. They couldn't shake the feeling that he knew more than he was letting on.

"Well," Carr said, his voice infuriatingly calm. "It seems you've gotten a taste of what we're dealing with."

Y/N glared at him, fists clenched at their sides. "And you just stood there and watched?"

Carr shrugged, his gaze cold and calculating. "There's a bigger game being played here, Y/N. And sometimes, you have to see the pieces in action before you can make your move."

Y/N's frustration boiled over. "What are you even talking about? You've been hinting at this big, mysterious 'threat,' but you're not telling us the whole story. Who is that doppelgänger, and why are they targeting me?"

Carr's expression remained unreadable. "All in due time. But for now, let's just say that your double isn't the only one crossing realities. This situation is more complicated than you realize."

Wanda stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Then explain it. Stop speaking in riddles and tell us what we're up against."

Carr's eyes flicked to Wanda, and for a brief moment, Y/N thought they saw a flicker of something—regret, maybe? But it was gone just as quickly as it appeared. "There are forces at work that transcend this reality," he said slowly. "Your double is just the beginning. And if you're not careful, this world will be torn apart."

The air grew heavy with the weight of his words, and Y/N felt a cold chill creep down their spine. Torn apart? What did that even mean?

"Is there a way to stop it?" Y/N asked, their voice tense.

Carr's gaze locked onto theirs, and for the first time, there was no trace of his usual detached demeanor. "There might be. But it won't be easy. You're going to need to make choices that will affect not just this reality, but countless others. The multiverse is fragile—and every action has consequences."

Y/N exchanged a look with Wanda, their stomach twisting in knots. This was so far beyond anything they had ever imagined. They had signed up to be a stunt double, not a key player in some multiverse-altering event.

But as the weight of the situation settled over them, Y/N realized there was no backing out now. They were already in too deep.

"We're in this together," Y/N said firmly, turning to Wanda. "No matter what happens."

Wanda smiled softly, her eyes full of determination. "Together."

Carr watched them with a critical eye. "Then you'd better be ready. Because whatever comes next—it's going to push you to your limits."

Y/N swallowed hard, their mind racing with a thousand possibilities. They had faced danger before, but nothing like this. The stakes had never been so high. The multiverse was on the brink of collapse, and Y/N was right in the middle of it.

And as they stepped into the unknown, Y/N couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far more dangerous—and far more personal—than they ever could have anticipated.