Orville: Lost in the Multiverse

chapter nine: The Shadows Strike

The night had settled deep over New York City, casting a dark, quiet calm over Stark Tower. The Avengers, though rested, remained on edge. They had prepared for battle, drawn up strategies, and fortified their defenses, but something about the stillness felt off. The city was too quiet, the air too heavy with an anticipation none of them could shake.

Inside the tower, Ed Mercer lay in one of the guest suites. Though his body had healed significantly from the last battle, his energy still hadn't fully returned. Lucy had just left his room, promising to check on him in the morning before heading to her own quarters for some much-needed sleep. Tony had upgraded the tower's security system, making it virtually impenetrable—or so everyone believed.

But the enemy wasn't just a force of brute strength. Loki and Strange Supreme weren't like the Chitauri or the Kaylon. They were cunning, deceptive, and most dangerously of all, patient.

As the hours ticked past midnight, the heroes fell into an uneasy rest. The quiet hum of technology and the occasional distant siren from the city below were the only sounds. The tower seemed secure. But in the shadows, danger lurked.

In the darkness, something moved.

A faint shimmer rippled through the air, like a wave of heat distortion. It began at the far edge of the tower's perimeter, slipping past the security systems unnoticed, unseen by any cameras or alarms. Magic was at play here—an ancient, powerful force that twisted reality itself.

The shimmer grew into a shadow, slowly taking shape as it moved closer to the heart of the tower. It was neither fully visible nor fully invisible, a subtle blur that passed through walls and floors with the ease of a ghost. As it moved, it grew more distinct—long, dark robes, a hood drawn low over a face obscured by shadow, and eyes that gleamed with an unnatural, malevolent glow.

Strange Supreme had arrived.

Inside Ed's room, the atmosphere was peaceful. But his sleep was restless, troubled by fleeting visions of Strange Supreme's cold, cruel smile and Loki's mocking laughter. His body was still healing, but his instincts—honed from years of battle—were sharp. His mind stirred, telling him something was wrong.

Suddenly, Ed's eyes snapped open.

He lay still, his heart pounding as his senses reached out into the darkness. He couldn't shake the feeling that someone—or something—was nearby. The room was silent, save for the quiet hum of the tower's systems, but something was off. His pulse quickened. He wasn't alone.

Then he saw it—a faint shimmer in the air, just a few feet away from his bed.

Ed bolted upright, his eyes narrowing. "Who's there?"

There was no response, but the shimmer grew stronger, warping the space around it. Before Ed could react further, the shimmer solidified into a dark figure. Strange Supreme.

The sorcerer stood at the foot of Ed's bed, his dark robes flowing like smoke, his face obscured but his eyes glowing with malicious intent.

"Awake already, Captain Mercer," Strange Supreme said, his voice a soft, sinister purr. "I was hoping to take you without a struggle."

Ed scrambled out of bed, backing away as he searched the room for anything he could use. His armor was too far, but he wasn't defenseless. He had been in worse situations before.

"You're not taking me anywhere," Ed growled, his muscles tensing as adrenaline flooded his system.

Strange Supreme raised a hand, and before Ed could move, shadowy tendrils shot from the sorcerer's fingers, wrapping tightly around Ed's arms and legs. They lifted him off the ground, binding him in place.