Strange Pack (Doctor Strange Fanfiction)

Chapter 5: Care and Concern

"Dying," echoed Stephen in shock.

Indarra leaned forward. "Um, yeah, that's what I just said," she pointed out with a soft purr.

Stephen lifted his hand and ran his fingers through his slightly tangled and long hair. "Dying of what?"

"I don't know exactly what he's dying of, but I do know that for as long as I've known him he's had this cough. It wasn't serious at first, and then it got deeper and deeper. He started to cough up blood and that scared me. I think that he had it before he came here, but I'm not positive," explained Indarra with a shrug. "But, don't say anything to Sergantis. He's really embarrassed to show weakness in front of anyone, especially you."

Stephen looked up in shock. "Me? Why me?"

"He seems to like you. He's said that he's admired you before and he's been watching you for a while," explained Indarra with a flick of her paw. "Usually, human sorcerers chose a companion like me and Mordo. But, Sergantis has never chosen one and he's one of the oldest ones here. There were rumors that he was going to be case out if he didn't. But, that was when he started to show an interest in you. You should feel honored that Sergantis saw something in you."

Stephen's gaze dropped at his still trembling hands. "I don't know why."

"He sees something in your that's special. I don't know what, but I know that it's important." She sighed as she arched her back against him. "I know that he's a hard wolf to read, but just try to get along with him. I think that it would mean so much to him."

"Okay, I'll try harder and I promise not to mention anything else," Stephen reassured.

Indarra gave a nod. "Good, because if you did I'm sure that he would have my pelt on a stick!"

She padded out of the den with Stephen following. He wouldn't usually leave a patient like that, but he realized that they didn't have all of the things that he had been used to in New York City. Getting used to this place and all that they did was going to take longer than expected.

"You should train with us," Indarra suggested.

Stephen looked down in shock. "What? Me?"

"Do you have any other expression that you can put on your face besides surprise and doubt? Yes, train with us. You're going to have to get used to fighting sorcerers who aren't human," Indarra explained as she kinked her tail over her back.

Stephen thought to himself for a moment and decided that it couldn't hurt. He didn't think that he would ever have to fight anyone like Sergantis or Indarra, but if he wanted to get on Sergantis's good side then he actually had to spend time with him. This might be the only way to do so.

"O-Okay," stammered Stephen.

Indarra purred in delight as she headed to the training area with Stephen right behind. They stopped in front of two sorcerers sparring. They each appeared to be powerful and using abilities that Stephen couldn't even imagine.

Indarra sidestepped them easily and Stephen darted forward so that he didn't have a chance to be burned. He sneaked forward slowly and managed to stop right besides Indarra. Indarra looked around before she noticed a light brown and black ocelot coming toward them.

"Mijo! Mijo, this is Stephen Strange. Stephen, this is Mijo," she introduced as Mijo twitched one of his large ears.

Stephen wasn't sure what to make of him, so he just bowed slightly. "Um, hello."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Stephen," murmured the ocelot as he spiraled around, flicking his tail behind him like fishing line as he walked. "We better make this quick, Indarra. I have to get back home after this."