The crimson light shimmered like flowing water. In the blink of an eye, Wanda transformed from a casually dressed into the mysterious and regal Scarlet Witch.
Floating before her was a strange book—the very one she had seized from the witch Agatha in Westview: the Darkhold.
Stephen surveyed his surroundings, realizing for the first time that he was caught in an illusion crafted by Wanda. The fact that he hadn't noticed until now only highlighted the depth and strangeness of her magical prowess—or rather, her sorcery.
His gaze was soon drawn to the ominous book, prompting Wanda to ask, "You recognize this book?"
"Of course. It's a cursed text. It corrupts everything it touches, everyone who dares read it. I want to know—what has it done to you?"
Stephen looked around at the desolate landscape, as though the devastation itself was a symptom of the Darkhold's corruption.
But Wanda disagreed. "The Darkhold only showed me the truth—that everything I lost, I can reclaim."
She didn't hide her intent. Her goal was to seize America's multiversal-traveling power, all so she could reach a universe where she could be reunited with her children.
Outside the projection, Peter sniffled. "Miss Maximoff is a good mother. She really loves her kids…"
Though Peter had no parents of his own, Aunt May had always filled that role for him. He couldn't help but be moved by Wanda's deep maternal instinct.
Stephen, however, shook his head. "First of all, those kids were created by magic. Secondly, if she actually makes it to that other universe, would she really rip them away from their real mother?"
He glanced at a silent Pietro and added, "Any emotion, once it becomes an obsession, can twist into something else—motherly love included."
There was no doubt in Stephen's mind: the Wanda in the video had already descended into obsession. Perhaps it was the Darkhold's influence, magnifying the darker parts of her soul.
In the video, Stephen tried to reason with her. "What you're doing blatantly defies the natural laws. If you take that girl's power, she'll die!"
Wanda countered coldly, "I'm not going to hurt anyone. But that girl—she's no ordinary human. She's a supernatural being. Her power could destroy an entire universe. Her sacrifice would serve a greater good."
Stephen clearly didn't want to turn against an old ally. He asked solemnly, "Then how are you any different from the villains who would use her power for evil?"
Unexpectedly, Wanda fired back, "Are you talking about yourself? When you gave Thanos the Time Stone…"
Her words silenced the Stephen in the video. Back then, he had willingly handed the Time Stone over to Thanos—not only to save Tony, who was being held hostage, but also for the sake of the future.
In the end, it proved to be the right choice—they won the Endgame. But the cost was immense. Countless lives were lost. And having seen millions of potential futures, Stephen had known this outcome all along.
In other words, when he made that decision, he had already accepted that certain people—Vision included—would have to be sacrificed. That might be why Wanda, along with other survivors who had lost loved ones, still harbored resentment.
Faced with Wanda's challenge, Stephen could only respond, "I did what I had to do for the Endgame."
Wanda gave a cold smile. "You broke the rules and became a hero. I break the rules—and I'm the enemy? That doesn't seem fair."
Outside the projection, many viewers sympathized with Wanda—but even more stood by Stephen.
After all, his decision had saved the universe. Wanda, on the other hand, was acting purely to fulfill her own obsessive desires.
She claimed she wouldn't hurt anyone, but the very fact that she had deceived an old friend from the start made it clear: the Darkhold had already begun to consume her mind. It wasn't hard to imagine that in pursuit of her goal, more innocent people would suffer.
In the video, Wanda issued a final ultimatum: she demanded that Stephen bring America to her before sunset.
Stephen asked, "And if I refuse?"
Wanda turned to him, her voice cold and emotionless. "Then it won't be Wanda coming for her—it'll be the Scarlet Witch."
At that moment, the projection froze and a new question appeared:
[Can the Scarlet Witch breach Kamar-Taj?]
[A: Yes
B: No]
Inside the Eternal Space, Stephen exhaled slowly. "The Scarlet Witch… a being prophesied to either rule or destroy the world. But I still have faith in Kamar-Taj. I choose B."
Pietro shot him a dark look. "Honestly, Stephen, if Wanda really decided to fight you, I don't think you could stop her. The answer should be A."
As her brother, he naturally sided with Wanda.
Peter thought for a moment and said, " Miss Wanda's really powerful. Even before becoming the Scarlet Witch, she held her own against Thanos… Maybe you should think this through, Mr. Strange."
Stephen let out a frustrated laugh. "So none of you have any faith in me? Kamar-Taj isn't just me. It's a sanctuary for all sorcerers, standing for hundreds of years. If attacked, countless practitioners would rally to defend it. Wanda may be stronger than the future version of me in that video—but I still don't think she can break Kamar-Taj."
He paused, then turned to Pietro. "Didn't we agree earlier? You got the last question wrong. This one, you have to let me decide."
Pietro hesitated. He had been so absorbed in Wanda's future that he'd forgotten their agreement. Now, with no excuse, he could only reply coldly, "Both Peter and I think it should be A."
Stephen shrugged. "Truth is often held by the few. That's what we sorcerers believe."
He stuck to his answer—B—and hit the buzzer the moment the countdown started.
This time, it was Team B's turn to answer first. Once all players locked in their responses and the countdown ended, the correct answer was revealed:
[Team B answered incorrectly. Player Stephen Strange, player Pietro maximoff, and player Peter Parker each lose 4 points.]
[Team A answered incorrectly. Player Erik Lenhenserr, player Charles Xavier, and player Logan Howlett each lose 1 point.]
_____
T/N:
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