Orville: Lost in the Multiverse

chapter fifteen: the return of ed mercer

The sky above Avengers Tower was a restless swirl of dark clouds, as if the universe itself was holding its breath. Inside, the tension was palpable. Lucy stood by the large windows, her gaze fixed on the horizon, her mind racing with worry. The Avengers had regrouped, exhausted but focused, trying to piece together what had happened to Ed after he was taken by Strange Supreme.

"We haven't heard anything," Tony said, his voice tight with frustration as he paced the room. "JARVIS's scans still show nothing. It's like they've vanished completely."

"They're hiding," Steve said firmly, standing with his arms crossed. "Strange Supreme knows how to cover his tracks. But he'll slip up. They always do."

Lucy remained silent, gripping her Black Widow-style suit at the waist, her knuckles white. She couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible had happened to Ed. The bond they'd formed during their time together wasn't just tactical—it was deep, and right now, every instinct told her something was very wrong.

Thor, standing near her, seemed to sense her unease. "Do not lose hope, Lucy. The darkness cannot claim him fully. I've seen men return from the brink of despair. Ed Mercer is no ordinary man."

But even Thor's words couldn't ease her mind. Ed was out there, somewhere, and if they didn't find him soon...

Suddenly, an alarm blared through the tower. Tony snapped to attention, racing to the central console as red lights flashed across the screens.

"We've got an energy spike," he said, his fingers flying across the holographic display. "Massive power fluctuation coming from the lower levels. It's... a portal."

"A portal?" Bruce repeated, stepping closer. "From where?"

Tony's brow furrowed. "It's identical to the one Strange Supreme used when he took Ed."

Lucy's heart leapt into her throat. "Ed!"

Before anyone could react, a blinding flash of light erupted in the middle of the room, and a swirling, crackling portal tore open in the air. The energy radiating from it was dark, malevolent, a sickening reflection of Strange Supreme's twisted power.

The Avengers immediately drew their weapons, readying themselves for whatever might come through. Thor raised Mjölnir, lightning crackling in the air around him. Steve held his shield tightly, while Tony's suit hummed with energy as his faceplate snapped into place.

Out of the portal, a figure emerged—stumbling, disoriented, but unmistakable.

"Ed!" Lucy shouted, rushing forward, her heart pounding.

It was him. Captain Ed Mercer. But something was wrong. As Ed stepped into the room, the portal closed behind him with a chilling hiss. His face was pale, his eyes dark and hollow, and his posture rigid, as if he were fighting against some unseen force.

Lucy's relief quickly turned to dread. There was something about him—something off. His eyes were not his own; they lacked the warmth, the humor, the humanity she knew so well. Instead, they were cold, distant, as if he were a stranger in his own body.

"Ed?" she called softly, taking a tentative step closer.

He didn't respond. His gaze swept over the room, but it was as if he didn't truly see them. A faint shimmer of dark energy flickered around him, a remnant of Strange Supreme's magic still clinging to his form.

Steve approached cautiously. "Ed, can you hear me? Are you alright?"

For a moment, Ed remained silent, his eyes flickering as if some internal struggle was taking place. Then, finally, he spoke, but his voice was low, flat—devoid of the familiar confidence and humor they all knew.

"I... serve... Strange Supreme."

Lucy's heart dropped. "No..."

Before anyone could react, a surge of dark magic crackled through Ed's body, and in an instant, his hand shot forward, sending a blast of energy toward Steve. Steve barely had time to raise his shield, the force of the blow sending him staggering back.

"Ed, stop!" Lucy shouted, rushing forward, her hands reaching for him. But as she got close, she could feel the oppressive weight of the dark magic swirling around him, keeping her at bay.

"Stay back," Tony warned, his repulsors charging as he took a defensive stance. "He's not himself!"

Ed's face twisted, his expression pained as if he were fighting some internal battle. "I... can't... stop it."

Lucy's mind raced. She could see it—the remnants of Loki's scepter's influence, the dark tendrils of magic pulling at him, controlling him. This wasn't Ed. This was what Strange Supreme had done to him—turned him into a weapon, a puppet.

But she wasn't about to give up. She wasn't going to let them lose him.

Lucy took a deep breath, stepping closer again, ignoring the rising tension in the room. "Ed, I know you're in there," she said, her voice steady but full of emotion. "This isn't you. You have to fight it. You're stronger than this."

For a moment, Ed's gaze softened, and the dark energy around him flickered. His eyes met hers, and for a fleeting second, she saw a glimpse of the man she knew—the captain who had fought beside her, who had never backed down.

"I... don't know if I can," Ed murmured, his voice strained, like he was fighting against chains that were too strong to break.

Lucy took another step forward, refusing to give up. "You can. I believe in you. We all do."

The rest of the Avengers watched, poised for action but hesitant to interfere. They knew this was a fight only Ed could win—if he could find the strength to push through the darkness.

Ed's breathing became ragged, his fists clenched as the dark energy pulsed violently around him. Strange Supreme's grip on him was strong, but something inside Ed—something deep, something real—was fighting back.

"I... won't... be... controlled," Ed growled through gritted teeth, his eyes flickering between darkness and light.

Lucy reached out a hand. "Come back to us, Ed."

With a roar of defiance, Ed threw his head back, and the dark magic exploded around him. For a terrifying moment, it seemed as though the shadows would consume him entirely—but then, with a final surge of willpower, he broke free. The dark energy dissipated, leaving Ed gasping for breath, collapsing to his knees.

Lucy rushed to his side, kneeling beside him. "Ed? Are you okay?"

He looked up at her, his eyes clear but exhausted. "I... I think I'm back."

The relief in the room was palpable as the Avengers slowly lowered their weapons. But the battle wasn't over yet. Strange Supreme had sent Ed back for a reason, and now they knew just how dangerous he could be.

Lucy helped Ed to his feet, her heart still pounding. "We're going to stop him, Ed. Together."

Ed nodded, though his face remained grim. "We have to. Before it's too late—for all of us."