July 1st -2009
.
The sound of running water echoed faintly from the bathroom as Tony leaned against the wall outside, his arms crossed and a faintly smug expression on his face. "You know, Banner, I just want it on the record that it took me days to convince him to let me tag along to this fancy wizard ceremony of his. Days. But you? You accept his offer to help you deal with your green rage monster, and suddenly, you're in—front-row seat and everything. No haggling, no begging, no charm offensive. Just a 'Sure, Bruce, come along.' It's unfair."
Bruce, sitting on the nearby couch with an amused expression, shook his head. "Maybe it's because I'm not constantly pushing his buttons, Stark."
Tony raised a finger, his grin widening. "Oh, I push those buttons with love, Banner. It's my way of keeping him grounded. But you wouldn't get it. You're not in the trenches with him every day like I am."
Bruce chuckled softly, leaning back. "Sure, Tony. Keep telling yourself that."
Before Tony could fire back, the sound of the bathroom door unlocking caught both their attention. The faint rustle of fabric accompanied Stephen as he stepped into view, the transformation startlingly effective.
He was dressed in his ceremonial Master robes—deep navy with intricate golden accents running along the edges. The fabric shimmered subtly, as if it were alive, catching the light in a way that made him seem more otherworldly. His posture was straight, his bearing regal, and his every step carried a quiet power that seemed to command the room without effort.
Then came the finishing touch. The Cloak of Levitation stirred as if sensing its moment, unfurling itself from where it had rested across his shoulders. It settled perfectly into place, its crimson fabric flowing like liquid fire. The effect was immediate—Stephen wasn't just a man anymore; he was a force, a figure of authority and mystique that seemed to radiate strength and purpose.
Tony's usual sharp wit deserted him in an instant. His mouth went dry as he stared, the words he'd been preparing to tease Stephen with dying unspoken. "Holy..."
Bruce let out a low whistle from the couch, breaking the silence. "Well, you weren't kidding about the cloak making him look even more impressive."
Stephen arched an eyebrow, glancing between the two of them. "What?" he asked, his tone casual, though there was a faint flicker of self-consciousness in his gaze. "Is something wrong?"
Tony swallowed hard, his brain scrambling to function again. "Wrong? No. Nope. Nothing wrong. In fact, everything's very, uh... very right. You look..." He gestured vaguely, his usual eloquence completely failing him. "You look like... like you're about to step onto the cover of Wizard Vogue."
Stephen sighed, clearly unimpressed by the comment, though the faintest hint of a smirk tugged at his lips. "Very helpful, Stark. Thank you for that insightful critique."
Tony recovered quickly, a teasing grin spreading across his face as he leaned against the wall. "I mean, I knew you were going to clean up nice, but this? This is next-level. You're giving off major 'don't mess with me or I'll send you to another dimension' vibes. Very badass."
Stephen rolled his eyes, adjusting the clasp of his cloak. "I'm glad to know I have your approval, Anthony."
Bruce chuckled softly from his seat, his gaze lingering on Stephen's robes. "It's a good look for you, Strange. Fits the whole 'Master of the Mystic Arts' thing."
Stephen inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the compliment. "Thank you, Bruce. At least someone here can be sincere."
Tony ignored the jab, his grin only widening. "Oh, I'm being sincere, Steph. One hundred percent. If I didn't already know you, I'd be a little intimidated right now. Okay, maybe a lot."
Stephen turned to fully face him, his blue eyes narrowing slightly. "You're not going to make this ceremony more complicated than it needs to be, are you?"
Tony feigned an innocent expression, placing a hand over his heart. "Who, me? Complicated? Never. I'm just here to support my favorite wizard. I'll even clap politely when they officially crown you the Supreme Master of Badassery."
Stephen sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm starting to regret letting you come."
Tony's grin softened slightly, his teasing tone giving way to something quieter, more genuine. "Seriously, though, Steph. You look incredible. And you deserve this. Just... try to let yourself enjoy it, okay?"
For a moment, Stephen's guarded expression softened. He nodded once, his voice quieter now. "I'll try."
The three of them stood there in silence for a moment, the weight of the upcoming ceremony settling over them. Then Tony clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. "All right, let's get this show on the road. I've got a whole arsenal of wizard puns I'm dying to use."
Stephen groaned softly, shaking his head as he turned toward the portal he'd conjured to take them to Kamar-Taj. "You're impossible."
"And you love it," Tony quipped, following close behind with Bruce trailing after them.
As the portal swirled open, Stephen took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. He may have doubted his path before, but as he stepped through the shimmering doorway, flanked by his two unlikely companions, he couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of resolve. He was ready. Or at least, as ready as he could ever be.
.
The chamber was filled with a solemn, almost sacred stillness. The circular space in Kamar-Taj, where so many Masters before him had stood, was lit softly by glowing sconces and faintly shimmering runes etched into the walls. A semi-circle of Masters, dressed in their ceremonial robes, stood as silent witnesses to the proceedings. Disciples gathered in the outer edges of the chamber, their curious eyes fixed on the figure at the center.
Stephen stood tall, his ceremonial robes pristine, his Cloak of Levitation resting gracefully on his shoulders. He felt the weight of every gaze in the room, but it wasn't the scrutiny of the onlookers that unsettled him. It was the gravity of the moment—the familiar, bittersweet sense of standing on the precipice of something greater than himself. He had been here before, in another time, in another life. Back then, the title of Sorcerer Supreme had come to him not through patience or readiness but through necessity—a responsibility thrust upon him like an iron weight, one that had nearly crushed him under its unrelenting demands.
This time, though, it was different. The expectations placed on him now were not an all-encompassing mantle to guard the universe. They weren't asking him to be the ultimate protector, the final line between dimensions, but instead a guide, a mentor, a protector among many others. He was being asked to lead, yes, but in a capacity that didn't suffocate him with its enormity.
For the first time in what felt like centuries, the path ahead didn't feel like a tight collar around his neck. He could breathe a little easier knowing that the weight of this new role wouldn't be crushingly solitary. It was a responsibility he could shoulder without losing himself to the overwhelming pressure that had once defined his previous role.
That realization gave him a sense of relief he hadn't expected. It wasn't a return to the life of absolute power and burden he had once known—it was something less, something manageable, something he might even be able to embrace. And despite the ever-present flicker of doubt in his chest, he wanted to accept it. He wanted to try.
The Ancient One stepped forward, her calm, steady presence commanding the attention of all in the chamber. She turned to face the assembled Masters and disciples, her voice clear and resonant. "Today, we welcome a new Master into our ranks."
Her words hung in the air, and Stephen resisted the urge to fidget. The Ancient One's gaze flicked to him, a faint smile tugging at her lips, a silent reassurance.
"This is Master Stephen Strange," the Ancient One began, her voice firm yet inviting, filling the chamber with a sense of reverence. Her gaze swept over the gathered disciples and Masters, all of whom stood in rapt attention. "While he may be a new face to many of you, he brings with him a wealth of knowledge that is as rare as it is profound. His mastery spans many disciplines, including combat magic, transmutation, runes, dimensional magic, and divination."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle, before continuing with deliberate care. "And, of course… Time Magic." Her tone softened slightly, as though she intended to downplay its significance, but the moment the words left her lips, a noticeable shift swept through the room.
A ripple of murmurs broke out among the disciples, their whispers buzzing like a low hum of electricity. Time Magic was not a casual mention—it was a rarity even among the most skilled of the Order, bordering on the mythical. It wasn't just a skill; it was a responsibility, a burden few dared to shoulder.
Stephen shifted subtly where he stood, his expression calm but his hands clasped tightly in front of him. He didn't miss the way several of the Masters exchanged glances, their eyes flickering with surprise and a hint of awe. Among the disciples, some leaned forward, their faces lit with curiosity, while others whispered animatedly to one another.
The Ancient One turned to him now, her voice gentler but no less resolute. "Stephen, to take your place among the Masters of Kamar-Taj is to accept both responsibility and privilege. It is to commit yourself to the protection of this world and the countless others beyond it. You will guard the boundaries between realms, ensure balance where there is chaos, and guide those who seek to walk the path of the mystic."
Stephen nodded slightly, his throat dry. He'd done this countless times before in his own world—introducing new Masters, speaking these very words. And yet, being on the receiving end once again was the same strange, humbling experience as the first time.
The Ancient One extended her hand, and a scroll appeared in her grasp, its parchment glowing faintly with ancient magic. She unrolled it carefully, revealing the intricate writing and sigils of the contract with the Vishanti, the patrons of Kamar-Taj. The air grew heavier with power, and Stephen could feel the faint hum of their presence, even before the ceremony truly began.
"This is the contract with the Vishanti," the Ancient One announced. "As a Master of Kamar-Taj, you will be granted the right to commune with them. They will offer you their counsel and guidance, and in turn, you will uphold the principles of our Order with honor and integrity."
Stephen's gaze lingered on the scroll, its golden lettering shimmering faintly in the dim light as the Ancient One stepped closer. "Master Strange, are you prepared to take your place among us and to receive the counsel of the Vishanti?"
Stephen's fingers tightened slightly at his sides. He took a deep breath, the memories of his long journey washing over him—the times he had stood in the Ancient One's place, welcoming others into the Order, and the single, vivid memory
of when he had stood in this exact position in his own universe, uncertain but resolute at the beginning of his journey.
"Yes," he said finally, his voice steady. "I'm ready."
The Ancient One nodded, her expression serene, and held up her hand, pressing her thumb gently against the center of his forehead. At her touch, the world seemed to shift around him. The air grew thicker, charged with magic, and Stephen felt himself being drawn into a limbo-like space, caught between the physical and the ethereal.
His eyes fluttered closed, his mind buzzing with anticipation. What will they tell me? he wondered. The Vishanti were usually cryptic without mincing their words. He braced himself for their presence, for the truths they would undoubtedly lay bare.
As the connection began, Stephen felt the faint tug of their energy, ancient and vast, reaching out to him across the threads of the multiverse. It was humbling, exhilarating, and terrifying all at once. Whatever lay ahead, he knew one thing for certain—this was just the beginning.
.
.
I'm alive!!!
And tired af
For a couple of weeks I've been doing late shifts and those are tiring. Also, it's summer here and I hate this season because I'm more sweat than person. Luckily, I'll have a vacation in two weeks, so let's hope I've better shifts after that T.T
(Most of my close family is going to return to our Mother Country so I've been helping with the preparations that didn't help with the busy period. My mom is going in a couple days and two of my sisters will go in a couple of weeks)
Anyway, sorry.
Two chapters for u
.
Also, if you want to support me and read chapters ahead, go to my p@treon: JorieDS