When two worlds collide

Chapter 24

The safehouse was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of magical wards and the occasional rustle of papers. Wanda paced the room, her mind heavy with worry about the dobbelgänger. After getting Y/N back she was relieved they where still breathing, but she knew they needed a plan to stop the dobbelgänger before it would take Y/N's life. Doctor Strange sat at a large table, surrounded by ancient tomes and glowing artifacts, his face set in deep concentration.

Y/N set in the couch her leg bouncing on the ground feeling the worry from Wanda all around the room. "Wanda, my head hurts from you pacing around the room, you're footsteps are already visible on the footboards" Wanda stops walking, looks down and frowns. "No their not." Y/n gives a subtle smile. "Made you stop walking, it's gonna be okay. But pacing around the room helps nobody." Wanda sighs and takes a seat next to Y/N. she places her head on Y/N shoulder and they grab Wanda's hand.

Strange was pouring over his notes, his brow furrowed in concentration. After a long period of research and magical analysis, he had come up with two possible plans to address the dire situation.

Wanda took a deep breath and Strange approached them sitting in the chair in front of them. Wanda's eyes filled with concern. "Have you found anything? What's the plan?"

Strange looked up from his notes, his face grim. "Yes, I've come up with two possible approaches," he said, his voice steady but tinged with urgency. "One is a safer option, and the other... well, it's a last resort."

Wanda nodded, her gaze fixed on Strange as she waited for him to explain further. "Let's hear them."

Strange cleared his throat and began. "Plan One is a targeted approach. We use a powerful binding spell to capture the doppelgänger. This plan involves creating a secure magical barrier around the doppelgänger, neutralizing their powers temporarily, and then using a precise ritual. The goal is to resolve the situation without causing harm to anyone involved."

Wanda's eyes brightened with hope as she listened. "That sounds like it could work," she said, her voice filled with cautious optimism. She looks over at Y/N who looks at Strange "But what's the catch?"

Strange's expression darkened slightly. "The catch is that it requires absolute precision and a considerable amount of magical energy. If anything goes wrong during the ritual or if the doppelgänger manages to break free of the barrier, we could end up in an even worse situation. It's risky, but it's the best option if we want to avoid severe consequences."

Y/N nodded, taking in the information. "And the second plan?"

Strange's face grew even more somber. "Plan Two is a last-resort measure. If Plan One fails or if the doppelgänger proves too powerful to contain, we would need to resort to a sacrificial spell. This spell requires the life force of a willing individual to create a powerful magic anchor that can permanently banish the doppelgänger and stabilize the multiverse. In other words, it's a spell that would require Y/N to sacrifice their own life to ensure the doppelgänger is defeated and the multiverse is saved."

It felt like time stood still. They saw the lips of Strange move, but their was no sound, no information getting to them. They had a feeling, a sense that this would be the only way to stop the dobbelgänger. But hearing it clearly made it real.

Wanda's heart sank as she listened, her expression filled with shock and disbelief. "You can't be serious," she said, her voice trembling. "There must be another way."

"I wish there were," Strange said quietly. "But the nature of the doppelgänger's powers and their connection to the multiverse make this an incredibly complex situation. Plan Two would ensure the doppelgänger's defeat and prevent any further damage, but it comes at the ultimate cost."

Wanda's eyes filled with tears as she glanced toward Y/N, who keeps looking at Strange, their expression a mixture of fear and determination. Wanda knew how much Y/N had already sacrificed and couldn't bear the thought of losing them entirely.

"Is there no other option?" Wanda asked desperately. "We can't let them make that sacrifice if there's any chance of saving them."

Strange sighed, his face etched with sadness. "I'm afraid not. The magical forces at play here are beyond ordinary means. If Plan One fails, Plan Two is our only remaining option. We would have to make that decision based on the outcome of our initial attempt."

Wanda wiped away a tear, her mind racing as she tried to process the gravity of the situation. "Alright," she said finally, her voice resolute despite the pain in her eyes. "We'll go with Plan One first. We have to give it our best shot before considering anything else."

Strange nodded, his expression solemn but supportive. "We'll need to prepare carefully and ensure everything is in place for the ritual. We don't have room for error."

Wanda took a deep breath and turned back to Y/N, her heart aching with a mixture of fear and determination. She gently brushed a strand of hair from Y/N's face, her gaze softening with resolve. They turn their head looking at Wanda. Those beautiful green eyes. That cute nose that she scrunched when she gives a smile. Oh that smile, she can look at that smile every minute of every day and not grow tired of it. Her laugh is like music to their ears, fuck she is in love.

"You're going to be okay," she whispered, her voice filled with quiet strength. "We're going to get through this. I promise, you hear me?"
"Wanda"

Y/N gives her a reassuring smile, their eyes filled with gratitude and trust. They knew Wanda was doing everything in her power to save them, and that knowledge gave them a glimmer of hope.

Strange stands up and looks at them both "talk about it, I'll be back tomorrow" he says as he creates a portal and walks in leaving them both on the couch, the quiet settling over them.