Although Professor Xavier didn't turn around, he had already sensed something. Wanda, still trapped, immediately darted back into the darkness.
At that moment, the Scarlet Mist crept closer. From within the fog, the Scarlet Witch suddenly emerged, her face twisted with fury. She lunged forward and grabbed Xavier by the throat—then twisted viciously!
Crack!
In the real world, Xavier, seated in his yellow hoverchair, suddenly jerked his head to the side—and went limp.
The battle within the mindscape was always eerie. No matter how fierce the fight got in the spiritual realm, in the real world, both participants stood frozen like statues—until suddenly, one of them dropped dead.
Aside from Mordo, who had been taken out in close combat by Stephen Strange, the rest of the Illuminati were completely wiped out by Wanda.
This organization had once safeguarded the security of Universe-838 and had even managed to defeat Thanos. Yet now, it had been utterly annihilated by the Scarlet Witch.
Still, Xavier had managed to buy time for Christine and America to escape. While he was locked in a mental struggle with Wanda, the two women seized the chance to flee.
After a frantic escape, they finally regrouped with Stephen. Christine even brought his Cloak of Levitation, which she had repaired.
Stephen told Christine that they needed to find the Book of Vishanti—only it had the power to counter a rampaging Wanda.
Xavier had mentioned it before, and Christine knew where the book was located.
But Christine didn't trust Stephen. After all, her universe's version of Doctor Strange had committed unspeakable crimes. Stephen didn't know how to defend himself, since it involved his alternate self, but America spoke up for him. Eventually, she convinced Christine.
More importantly, Wanda was closing in fast. They didn't have time to argue.
Christine finally agreed to lead Stephen to the Book of Vishanti. She also removed his magical restraints, allowing him to use his spells again.
But even with his powers back, Stephen knew that he was no match for the current Wanda—not without the Book. For now, the only option was to run.
The three of them escaped through a secret passage in the sewers, with Wanda limping after them. Though she had massacred the Illuminati, she hadn't emerged unscathed—her legs were injured, slowing her down.
The way she staggered after them, with her hair in disarray and her face smeared with grease, gave her a haunting, zombie-like appearance.
Stephen and the others looked like survivors in a horror film, fleeing from an unstoppable monster. Some viewers couldn't help but comment:
"Wait, how did this go from a fantasy magic film to a zombie horror movie? And why doesn't Doctor Strange fight back?"
"How? Didn't you see the Scarlet Witch slaughter the Illuminati? If Strange tried anything, he'd end up like Captain Carter—or worse. He could get torn apart! Honestly, evil Wanda is scarier than Thanos."
"To be fair, I feel like Doctor Strange has gotten weaker since the fight with Thanos."
"Not really. He just doesn't have the Time Stone anymore. His magical knowledge has actually grown. But Wanda, corrupted by the Darkhold, has become far too powerful. That's what makes Strange look weak."
Amid all the chatter, the video on the screen paused and a new question appeared:
[Which of the following did Doctor Stephen Strange ultimately use to defeat Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch?]
[A: Book of Vishanti
B: Darkhold
C: Infinity Stones
D: The Living Tribunal]
Stephen breathed a small sigh of relief. So I did win in the end.
Pietro's expression changed instantly. He turned and stared at Stephen, eyes filled with tension.
Stephen raised an eyebrow. "Don't look at me like that. This is a future that hasn't even happened yet. But if Wanda ever did something this insane in our world, I'd do everything in my power to stop her."
Pietro fell silent for a few moments, then muttered, "She… she just wanted to be a mother…"
Stephen cut him off. "And do you think her kids would accept a mother like that? Pietro, face it—the Wanda in that video is completely insane. The Darkhold's corrupted her. That's not your Wanda. That's not our Wanda."
Peter glanced nervously between the tense Stephen and the brooding Pietro, trying to defuse the situation.
"Uh, I think we should focus on answering the question. I know what A, B, and C are—but what's D, 'The Living Tribunal'? Is that some kind of rare magical artifact?"
Stephen shook his head. "No. The Living Tribunal isn't an item. It's a being. A cosmic entity that stands above even gods. He's the supreme judge of the multiverse—he oversees and governs everything."
"Remember that scene from the video, when future-me and America were tumbling through different universes? Did you see the one with a giant floating head? That was the Living Tribunal."
Stephen then quietly explained everything he knew about the Living Tribunal.
He had learned about him through conversations with other Sorcerer Supremes from across the multiverse—knowledge that the version of him in the video probably didn't have. After all, before meeting America, he had only a vague understanding of the multiverse.
"Whoa!" Peter's eyes lit up. "So he's even stronger than Thor? Or ego?"
"Absolutely," Stephen scoffed. "Compared to the Living Tribunal, they're like ants."
He added, "Actually, we're no different either. But from what I understand, the Living Tribunal rarely acts unless the multiverse itself is on the verge of total collapse.
So don't bother asking why he didn't show up when Thanos snapped his fingers, or why he didn't stop the Doctor Strange who destroyed an entire universe in Universe-838. To him, the destruction of a few universes doesn't mean much."
Hearing that, Pietro frowned. "So… the Living Tribunal is all-powerful, aloof, and cold. Then—is it possible he's the one behind this quiz game?"
_____
T/N:
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