And the butterflies that burst from your fingertips

Four: Mordo's on the move

Stephen gathered up a large pile of books from various places around the Sanctum's library, covering a vast array of magical topics from the healing properties of certain trees to how to ensnare a demon. With a sigh, he settled down to read, opening the first of many books.

He'd barely even made it through the first chapter when his comms crackled online. It was a call from Tony, as if it would be from anyone else.

"Hey, Dumbledore. Care to explain why I found your room in the Compound empty this morning?"

"I have to find a solution for our Mordo problem," Stephen replied icily, turning the page of the book.

"You also need rest, like a normal human being," came Tony's voice, sounding a little exasperated, and Stephen let a small, fond smile slip onto his lips with the knowledge that Tony couldn't see him.

"I assure you, I am rested enough, Stark."

"Don't tell me you did some sort of spell to make yourself feel awake and rested."

"No, actually-"

"Stop, Stop," Tony said, cutting him off, and Stephen could imagine him raising his hands as he spoke to stop him. "I don't want to hear it. Don't make me yell at you."

Stephen's smile grew wider. "So you do care about me, Stark."

"I thought that was evident when I insisted you get some rest yesterday," Tony said dryly.

"I just thought you didn't want your only hope at defeating Mordo to die on you."

"Yeah, that too." Then Tony's tone grew serious. "He's on the move, by the way."

"Mordo?"

"Who else?" Tony let out a small sigh. "We're worried. He seems to be headed in the direction of the Compound."

"Let me know if he gets too close for comfort," Stephen said, voice grim. "At the very least I could probably repurpose one of the demon ensnaring spells to catch him."

"Demon what?" Tony asked, spluttering a little.

"Demon ensnaring," Stephen repeated. "For capturing rogue demons."

"I don't even want to ask why that's a thing. I'll contact you the moment Mordo seems to be an imminent threat."

"Alright. Bye, Stark."

"Goodbye, Harry Potter."

"Stop it with the wizard jokes," Stephen hissed, then ended the call. He swore he could have heard Tony laughing just before it cut off. He shook his head slightly as he returned to the book he was reading, and jumped as he spotted Wong standing just beside him.

"What do you want?" Stephen asked, slightly irritable since he hadn't helped him with his magical problem.

"Mordo's on the move toward the Compound?"

Stephen winced; of course Wong had overheard his and Tony's conversation. "Yes. He's not a threat to them yet."

"But he could be." Wong turned and began to pull books from the shelves. "I'll start searching for spells, too."

"Thanks," Stephen said, then hesitated before adding, "Do you think he could use the vacuum spell on Thor? Or mutated people like Bruce or Peter or Carol?"

Wong met his gaze carefully. "I'm not sure. But it's likely."

Stephen's heart dropped. "He could rid the world of the Avengers. Interdimensional threats could find their way here!"

"Let's not rush to conclusions," Wong said. "And let's hope that he can't."

Stephen nodded, but it was a nervous nod. "Let's hope. Otherwise something worse than Dormammu or Thanos could make its way here."

Wong, too, looked nervous. "That's what I'm worried about."

Stephen turned back to the book. He flicked through the pages, past spells to fight off cheese demons (don't ask), spells to summon flaming alpacas (again, don't ask) and protective spells. Some were basic magic, others so advanced that Stephen doubted even the Ancient One herself would attempt them.

Hours flew by. He finished book after book, scouring them for information, for any kind of spell that could help him either defeat Mordo or stop the butterflies. Over this time, the butterflies began to burst more and more frequently from his hands, an array of colours and shapes and sizes.

A few books he set aside, carefully marking the pages that had spells that he could maybe rework, repurpose to help in Mordo's defeat, but nothing that would stop him for certain.

Nearly five hours had passed when his comms clicked online again. Stephen hurried to answer, bile rising in his throat. Was Mordo at the Compound? Was he going to have to try and fight the other sorcerer in his weakened, almost magicless state?

"He's here! Thor's managing to hold him off for now, but we could sure use some help, Dumbledore!" The distant sounds of a battle met Stephen's ears, and he abandoned the book he'd been reading to open a portal.

It was more unstable looking and weaker than the one he'd opened earlier, but he put on a brave front. If he were to try and go to the Compound another way, he could be too late.

"I'm on my way."

"Well hurry up! We're about to get our asses kicked!"

"I'm coming as quickly as I can, Stark, but my magic isn't exactly cooperating!"

Stephen heard the sound of Tony's mask snapping down over his face. "What do you mean? You're the goddamn wizard here!"

"I was trying to tell you!" Stephen yelled back, struggling to open the portal. It finally snapped open, and Stephen dove through, it snapping shut right behind him, dangerously close to slicing his foot off.

Back in the Sanctum, the gust of wind from the force of the portal closing caused the pages of the book Stephen had been reading to turn, turn, turn.

They settled open at a page, ahead of where Stephen had been up to, visible to the world. A single line of text across the top showed what it was about, and pictures and more text littered the page, drowning it in information.

Bursting Butterflies Disease.