Orville: Lost in the Multiverse

chapter seventeen: the final battle

The sky over New York City crackled with unnatural energy as the final battle approached. Dark storm clouds swirled, lit by flashes of magical power and the distant roar of thunder. Loki and Strange Supreme had unleashed their full might upon the world, and the city, already ravaged by chaos, trembled beneath their combined force.

But inside the Avengers Tower, something had shifted. Ed Mercer stood at the forefront, his body thrumming with the magic Darulio had gifted him. His eyes glowed with an ethereal light, the power of the multiverse flowing through him. Darulio stood by his side, his own energy glowing a calming, radiant blue, an anchor amidst the storm.

"Are you ready?" Darulio asked, his voice steady, though the weight of the moment hung between them.

Ed turned to him, meeting his gaze. "With you by my side? Yeah, I'm ready."

Together, they stepped outside onto the rooftop, where the Avengers had gathered for what could be their last stand. Lucy tightened her grip on her weapons, her fierce eyes scanning the skies. Tony's Iron Man suit glinted in the stormy light, while Thor and Steve readied themselves, weapons in hand.

In the distance, Loki and Strange Supreme hovered in midair, surrounded by the eerie glow of their dark magic. The Chitauri swarmed around them, and the sky rippled with the energy of an impending cataclysm. The fate of Earth—and the multiverse—hung in the balance.

Ed took a deep breath, his hands crackling with magic. "Let's end this."

With a single, unified motion, the Avengers launched into action. Thor flew into the sky, Mjölnir whirling as he charged at Loki, lightning crackling around him. Tony took to the air, blasting at the Chitauri with precise strikes, while Steve led the ground team, shield in hand, rallying the others.

But for Ed, this battle was personal. His eyes locked onto Strange Supreme, the sorcerer who had nearly consumed him with darkness. As they faced each other, the air between them grew thick with power.

"Mercer," Strange Supreme sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "You think you can stop me now? Even with that borrowed magic, you are nothing."

Ed's jaw clenched, his heart pounding. "Maybe. But I'm not alone."

With a burst of power, Ed surged forward, his magic clashing with Strange Supreme's. Blue and black energy collided, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The force of their confrontation shook the city, but Ed held firm, refusing to give in to the darkness again.

Meanwhile, Loki was engaged in a fierce battle with Lucy. She moved with the precision of a trained assassin, evading his strikes and countering with deadly accuracy. Loki, always smug and overconfident, underestimated her. But Lucy was relentless, fighting not just for herself but for Ed, for her friends, and for the future they were trying to protect.

As the battle raged on, Ed and Strange Supreme's clash reached a critical point. Their magic swirled around them, intertwining like the forces of chaos and order themselves. Strange Supreme's face twisted with fury, realizing that Ed was no longer the same man he had tried to manipulate.

"You can't win!" Strange Supreme roared, unleashing a torrent of dark magic that could have torn reality apart.

But Ed stood his ground, summoning the strength Darulio had given him, and more importantly, the strength he had found within himself. "You're wrong. I believe I can."

With a final, earth-shattering strike, Ed's magic broke through Strange Supreme's defenses. The sorcerer screamed in fury and pain as Ed's power overwhelmed him, sending him spiraling into the abyss of the multiverse. The portal that had anchored him to Earth collapsed, leaving only silence in its wake.

Across the battlefield, Loki, seeing Strange Supreme's defeat, snarled in frustration. But before he could make another move, Lucy delivered a precise, final blow, disarming him and knocking him to the ground. Thor was on him in an instant, binding him with chains that even Loki's magic couldn't break.

The battle was over.

The Chitauri fled, their forces crumbling without their leaders. The sky began to clear, the storm dissipating as peace slowly returned to New York City.

As the dust settled, Ed lowered his hands, the magic still flickering around his fingertips, though more softly now. His heart was racing, his body aching from the exertion, but a sense of calm washed over him. It was over. They had won.

Darulio approached him, his glowing blue aura still surrounding him, though his expression had softened into one of pride and affection. "You did it," Darulio said quietly, his voice filled with admiration.

Ed turned to him, feeling the weight of everything they had been through lift from his shoulders. He smiled, though exhaustion pulled at the edges of his face. "We did it."

For a moment, they simply stood there, the world fading away around them. The battle was over, but something deeper had been forged in its wake—a connection stronger than any magic.

Darulio stepped closer, his hand gently cupping Ed's cheek. "Ed... I've never been more proud of anyone in my life."

Ed's breath caught in his throat. The emotions that had been building between them were undeniable now. Without thinking, he leaned forward, closing the distance between them. Their lips met in a tender, loving kiss, a kiss that spoke of victory, of survival, and of a bond that transcended the chaos of the multiverse.

As they pulled apart, Ed looked into Darulio's eyes, his heart racing for a different reason now. But Darulio wasn't finished. With a soft smile, he reached into his pocket, and before Ed could register what was happening, Darulio knelt down on one knee.

"Ed Mercer," Darulio said, his voice trembling slightly but filled with sincerity, "will you marry me?"

Ed's eyes widened in surprise, his heart skipping a beat. The world seemed to slow down, and for a moment, all the battles, all the chaos, all the darkness they had faced faded into the background. This was real. This was love.

Tears pricked at the corners of Ed's eyes as he nodded, his voice thick with emotion. "Yes... yes, I will."

Darulio stood up, pulling Ed into another kiss as the Avengers gathered around, smiling at the heartfelt moment. Even Tony couldn't hide his smirk, while Thor and Steve exchanged knowing glances.

The battle for the multiverse was over, but for Ed and Darulio, a new chapter was just beginning—one built on love, hope, and the belief that together, they could face anything the universe threw at them.