Strange sipped his jasmine tea slowly, hoping the floral aroma would somehow drown out his headache.
Unfortunately, his so-called "allies" had once again made his life miserable.
They were lost and they weren't responding.
And, most importantly, they didn't even try to make his job easier.
"Fine."
Sighing, he set his cup down and activated the ritual to track them down. A golden sigil glowed as he traced their location, and then, with a flick of his fingers, he summoned a portal to bring them back.
What could possibly go wrong?
Well…
As it turned out, a lot.
Instead of pulling them back, the Eye of Agamotto suddenly pulsed like an overexcited pet seeing its owner after a long time.
Before Strange could even react—
WHOOSH!
The portal suddenly reversed, yanking him headfirst into the unknown.
(Elsewhere, in Ender's Universe…)
Meanwhile…
Agamotto (the child, not the relic) was opening a portal back home. Because he forgot his camera.
Unfortunately, instead of summoning his precious camera, the portal spat out a confused man with a goatee, who nearly face-planted into the ground.
And caused instant panic.
Wukong whipped out his staff, eyes gleaming in battle readiness.
Foom threw his hands up into the air like he was surrendering to an unseen police force.
Oinky, ever the survivalist, jumped behind a boulder clutching a large watermelon, because… priorities.
And Agamotto?
The five-year-old celestial simply tilted his head and observed the scene with great curiosity.
Then, his golden eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands together in excitement.
"Look, Wukong! A human who can use Sorcery!"
Strange, still recovering from his unplanned cosmic kidnapping, quickly assessed his surroundings.
His eyes landed on the kid.
And then…
The Eye of Agamotto—HIS Eye—suddenly flew right off his neck.
Like a happy dog seeing its owner, the relic soared straight toward the child and floated affectionately around him.
Agamotto blinked, then, he reached out and grabbed it like a shiny toy. "Ooooh, what's this?"
Strange, still trying to maintain his composure, took a deep breath.
He fixed his gaze on the kid and said, in his best authoritative voice:
"Kid. Give the pendant back. It's not a toy."
Agamotto grinned innocently. "But it came to me~!"
The Eye of Agamotto literally purred in response.
Strange's eye twitched.
Oh, he was going to have a long day.
Just then Agamotto felt something, "Is there something inside it? It feels familiar..." And he tried opening it.
Strange took a deep breath, "Kid don't even try or you will be punish—"
*Clink
The artifact opened without any resistance as a glowing time stone is seen inside it.
Agamotto looked at the stone, then at Strange suspiciously, then back to the stone.
Oinky still behind a boulder commented, "It looks like I have seen it somewhere,"
Strange stunned tried to warn, "Kid this is a very dangerous thing it is not a toy, give it back to me,"
Agamotto took out his own Time Stone from his pouch, "These look so same," then he lost interest in the first Time Stone and tossed it at Strange.
"Good kid now give me back the pendant," Strange said.
Agamotto put a finger on his lips with a thoughtful expression then shook his head, "Nope,"
Strange took a deep breath, "Look kid I don't have time to play games this artifact is very important to me so give it to me,"
"But it came to me," Agamotto argued.
"Young Master, you should not take other people's thing," Wukong commented.
And for the first time, Strange looked at the other 'people' present, 'A humanoid pig, monkey and...is that Fin Fang Foom?'
Agamotto pouted but gave Eye of Agamotto back to Strange, but suddenly Strange realized something, 'This kid also has a Time Stone!'
Praying to Vishanti, Strange forced a smile, "Kid, my name is Doctor Strange, I am Sorcerer Supreme of my Universe," he had figured that he was in another universe.
"Ooh, I am Agamotto, the son of Herobrine and Oshtur, also the leader of Celestial Heavenly Emperors,"
Silence.
Wukong and Strange immediately called bullshit.
Meanwhile, Oinky and Foom looked at each other, Oinky whispered, "Wait, are we part of an empire?"
Foom whispered back, "Dude, I thought we were just tagging along."
"Maybe we are undercover!" Oinky said seriously.
Strange, exhaled sharply.
'Great. Not only am I stuck in another universe, but the kid who INVENTED MY MAGIC SYSTEM is still in kindergarten.'
'I need another cup of tea.'
Before Strange could think of any other way, Wukong sidled up beside him and, in a dramatic whisper, said:
"Psst. Strange guy. Walk with me."
Strange sighed but followed Wukong to a quiet corner.
The Monkey King leaned in conspiratorially, glancing around as if they were about to discuss top-secret monkey business.
Then, with a knowing smirk, he said, "Listen, I know you're dying to get back, but how about a trade?"
Strange narrowed his eyes. "What kind of trade?"
Wukong grinned mischievously. "Tag along with us on this adventure, and I'll make sure you get to meet Oshtur, the Magic Goddess herself. You know, big deal, ultra-powerful, probably has answers to all your problems…"
Then he leaned in further.
"And also… I heard there are other interdimensional travelers near Sun City."
Strange perked up at that.
Interdimensional travelers? That sounded like the Avengers.
He rubbed his temples.
On one hand, Wukong was a trickster, and agreeing to anything he offered was like selling your soul in a fine-print contract.
On the other hand…
If there really were other stranded travelers, then it was his best shot at fixing this mess, not to mention Lady Oshtur is also a member of Vishanti, so if he got to meet, then it's even better.
After a long pause, Strange exhaled deeply.
"Fine. I'll go with you."
Wukong clapped his hands.
"Great! Welcome aboard the 'Journey to the Worst'—I mean, 'Journey to the Best'!"
Strange immediately facepalmed.
~~~~
Yo, I kidnapped Strange, too.
Two Time Stones in one place I wonder if someone could sense it?