Chapter 7: Chapter Seven:
The Sanctum Sanctorum had rarely felt this alive. Every corner of the ancient structure thrummed with energy, a mixture of magic and tension that seemed to seep into the air itself. Eleven stood in the center of the main chamber, surrounded by Wanda, Doctor Strange, and a growing collection of allies drawn to the impending crisis.
The faces were unfamiliar to Eleven, yet their presence carried weight. Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, stood tall and steady, his shield slung across his back. Carol Danvers, her short blonde hair catching the faint light, leaned against the wall with her arms crossed, radiating quiet confidence. Peter Parker—Spider-Man—sat perched on a ledge, his mask pushed up to reveal a face far younger than Eleven had expected, though his eyes held the same kind of weariness she often felt.
And then there was Tony Stark. Or, rather, the holographic projection of him. His presence was eerie, a fragment of the man that had once sacrificed everything to save the universe. The recording flickered faintly, his voice calm yet pointed as it delivered tactical data about Kang's incursions into the multiverse.
"Let me get this straight," Peter said, breaking the silence. "This Kang guy is pulling monsters out of a dimension full of nightmare fuel, and he's using… her to do it?" He pointed toward Eleven, who stiffened under the weight of his gaze.
"She's not the cause," Wanda said sharply, stepping closer to Eleven. "She's the bridge. He's exploiting her connection to the Upside Down to force open cracks between dimensions."
"And he's not going to stop until he tears them wide open," Strange added, his tone grim. "If that happens, the multiverse collapses. Everything we know—everything we are—ceases to exist."
"Classic Tuesday," Carol muttered, pushing off the wall and stepping forward. She gave Eleven a quick once-over, her expression unreadable. "So what's the plan?"
"The plan," Strange began, "is twofold. We need to cut off Kang's access to Eleven's connection to the Upside Down. To do that, we have to strengthen her defenses—mentally, emotionally, and magically."
"And the second part?" Sam asked.
Strange's expression darkened. "We take the fight to him."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. Eleven shifted uncomfortably under their scrutiny, her fists clenched at her sides. She didn't want to be here. She didn't want to be their key to anything. But she also couldn't ignore the stakes.
"I'm not ready," she said quietly, her voice barely audible.
"You're more ready than you think," Wanda replied, placing a hand on her shoulder. "But you won't face this alone."
"You'd better not," Peter chimed in, sliding off the ledge. "Because, uh, I'm pretty sure taking on a multiverse-conquering time guy is not a solo gig."
Eleven glanced at him, unsure if he was joking or serious. Peter offered a small, lopsided smile, one that felt disarmingly genuine.
"Look," Sam said, stepping forward, his tone steady. "No one's expecting you to fix this on your own. But you're a part of this now, whether you like it or not. And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that the only way through is together."
"Together," Eleven repeated softly, the word foreign but not unwelcome.
"Touching as this is," Strange interrupted, his hands weaving faint patterns of light in the air, "we don't have time for a pep talk. Kang's fortress is anchored to a fragment of the Upside Down, but its location keeps shifting across the timestream. If we're going to hit him, we need to find him first."
"Lucky for you, I know a guy," Carol said, a faint smirk crossing her face. "Or rather, a raccoon. He's been tracking dimensional anomalies for months. If Kang's leaving a trail, Rocket will find it."
"Then we split up," Strange said decisively. "Carol, you handle Rocket. Sam, take Peter and secure the Stark tech we'll need to stabilize the fractures. Wanda and I will continue training Eleven to strengthen her connection—and her control."
"And what about me?" Eleven asked, her voice steadier than she felt.
Strange met her gaze. "You learn to fight back."
Scene Break: Training with Wanda and Strange
The training chamber was a space Eleven hadn't seen before, tucked deep within the Sanctum. It was both vast and intimate, its walls lined with glowing runes that pulsed faintly in time with her heartbeat. Wanda stood a few feet away, her crimson energy swirling lazily around her hands, while Strange hovered nearby, observing with a critical eye.
"This isn't just about using your power," Wanda said, her tone patient. "It's about understanding it. You've spent your whole life reacting, but now you need to take control."
"How?" Eleven asked, her voice betraying her frustration. "Every time I try, it… it takes over. It's like it's not even mine."
"Because you're treating it like a stranger," Wanda replied. "It's not. It's a part of you, and the more you fight it, the more you let Kang exploit it."
Eleven's jaw tightened. She didn't like the idea of embracing her power. It had only ever brought her pain, isolation, and fear. But Wanda's words echoed in her mind. Take control. Choose.
"Alright," she said, taking a deep breath. "What do I do?"
"Start small," Wanda instructed. She conjured a small orb of crimson energy, letting it hover between her hands. "Feel it. Understand it. Then bend it to your will."
Eleven closed her eyes, reaching for the energy within her. It stirred hesitantly, like a wary animal, but as she focused, it began to flow. A faint blue glow formed around her hands, flickering like static.
"Good," Wanda said. "Now, focus on the shape. Make it real."
The glow intensified, solidifying into a sphere of crackling blue energy. Eleven opened her eyes, staring at it in awe.
"Now hold it," Strange said, stepping forward. "You're not just shaping energy—you're shaping reality. The stronger your intent, the stronger the result."
Eleven nodded, her focus narrowing. But just as she began to stabilize the sphere, a sharp, cold pressure pressed against her mind. Kang's voice slithered through her thoughts, soft and mocking.
"You're wasting your time," he murmured. "You can't escape what you are."
Eleven gasped, the sphere shattering in a burst of energy. She staggered backward, clutching her head as the pressure grew.
"Eleven!" Wanda called, rushing to her side.
"He's here," Eleven whispered, her voice trembling. "He's in my head."
Strange's expression hardened. "He's testing her. Pushing her limits."
"Well, he's about to learn that's a mistake," Wanda snapped, her energy flaring. She placed her hands on Eleven's temples, her crimson aura enveloping them both. "Focus on my voice," she said. "You're stronger than him. Say it."
"I'm stronger," Eleven whispered.
"Again," Wanda urged. "Say it."
"I'm stronger," Eleven repeated, her voice gaining strength.
The pressure began to fade, Kang's presence retreating like a shadow chased by the light. Eleven's breathing steadied, and when she opened her eyes, the fear was gone.
"Good," Wanda said, a faint smile crossing her lips. "Now, let's try again."
Scene Break: Kang's Fortress
Kang's expression was unreadable as he watched the exchange through a shimmering portal. His hands rested lightly on the edge of his console, his mind racing with calculations.
"She's stronger than I expected," he admitted, his tone calm but laced with intrigue.
The dark-haired figure beside him frowned. "If she learns to control it, she'll become a threat."
Kang smiled faintly. "Then we'll push harder. Let her grow stronger. The closer she gets to her full potential, the closer she brings us to the endgame."
The figure hesitated. "And if she surpasses your control?"
Kang's eyes glinted with cold amusement. "Then we'll remind her why she was made."