The Sorcerer Supreme of Earth

In the midst of a busy village that is Trotsylvania, Doctor Strange casually walks through the streets among the many ponies that moved out of his way wherever in the direction he walked in reverence.

His presence, the way Doctor Strange walks as his cloak covers his whole body like a fancy, cozy blanket, demands respect. The ponies awed at the sight of his brightly red cloak that brought glamor. And yet, he himself brings an aura of comfort, as if telling that he is no danger to the citizens of Trotsylvania.

The reason being as to why Doctor Strange was there was so he could get a layout of the village. He was fascinated by the things he saw just as he had seen in Ponyville. It was a culture shock, in a way. The many busy, small shops that are filled with ponies. It reminded him of the busy streets of comic-cons or fairs. Shops of toys, trinkets, fabrics, decors, foods, spices and all kinds of things. Then there was an open space where all sorts of talented ponies performed acrobatics, or magician tricks, anything that brings joy and entertainment to the ponies of Trotsylvania.

He sees a pony that swallowed the blade of a sword. A pony that walks on lit burning coal, showing no signs of pain. And another pony that juggle three colorful balls while riding on a unicycle. While Doctor Strange knows that these are cheap parlor tricks that even a student of the mystic arts could master with ease. He does admit he finds entertainment from watching their amazing performances.

He also sees posters on walls, various posters of competition, parties and circuses. Few were drawn over, either drawings of funny mustaches, poop surrounded by flies, and words that spelled “BAD FOX”.

Sooner or later, Doctor Strange was approached by a Royal Guard, but this one was different. He didn’t wear gold armor like any other Royal Guards, this one wore purple with gold accents. “Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guards, at your service.” He greeted, offering his hoof.

Doctor Strange kneels down and shakes it. “Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme and Master of the Mystic Arts.” He greeted him back. “Where is your group, I was told there would be one?” Doctor Strange asked. Shining Armor made a follow gesture as he took him to a seventeenth century style building.

To the human, it looked like a guild hall, one that’s very reminiscent of a D&D or fantasy game. Inside there are long tables for people to eat and drink, a front desk receptionist, upstairs to which he believed are rooms for renting. Probably an Inn.

Following Shining Armor, Doctor Strange is introduced to a small group of Royal Guards. “This is my team, they’ll be helping us to put an end to the monster’s plan.” As he said their name, each stood up.

“This is Strong Arm, the muscle of our team.” A Royal Guard earth pony with a brown coat stood up before sitting back down.

“Next is Book Worm, the brains of our team.” A Royal Guard unicorn with glasses and a dark gray coat stood up before sitting back down.

“And last but not least, Lucy Aura, the weapons specialist.” A familiar female Royal Guard pegasus stood up, Strange was surprised to see her, even Lucy Arms smirked at his expression.

After getting over the surprise, he introduced himself. “It’s nice to meet you all, I’m Doctor Strange.” He said as he stretched out his hand to offer a shake, to which they all took individually. “It’s an honor to meet you, sir. You saved my sister from those stone monsters.” Book Worm said with gratitude. “And you saved me ma and pa!” said Strong Arm. He obliviously squeezed his hand and shook it roughly to the point of shaking his whole body up and down.

“Well, the honor’s mine. And I’m glad I could be of help to those in need.” Strange chuckles, silently groaning in pain when Strong Arm finally let go.

“So, do you know where we need to go and what we are to accomplish?’ asked Strange to clarify their task. Shining Armor nodded. “Yes, we’re on a mission to take down the mastermind of the intruder’s theft and massacre. He is supposedly said to be near here in Trotsylvania between Serpent's Creek and Peryton Peak. We are to apprehend him before he reaches a magical fountain that brings back one’s youth.”

Doctor Strange nodded. “Good, then I suppose we should get going. We shouldn’t waste anymore time.”

All of a sudden, cries were heard from the streets. They all went out the door to investigate the cause. They see ponies running away from something. That something was a horde of gray ghosts in ninja-like robes, flying through the streets and throwing objects around, causing a loud ruckus by destroying property and harming the ponies.

“What are those things? Ghosts?” asks Strong Arm, in shock at the scene. Doctor Strange immediately answers. “No, they are the wraiths of Dormammu. The question is; what are they doing here?”

One of the wraiths saw the tall figure standing above the ponies that is Doctor Strange, they picked up a table and threw it in his direction. Doctor Strange saw this and was about to telepathically move it away, but Shining Armor was quick to react as he used magic from his horn to blast it away in sparkly blue.

Doctor Strange nodded to him in a thankful gesture before looking back to the wraiths. “Well, whatever they are, we can’t let them disturb the peace. How do we stop them?” Asked Shining Armor. “I would have to weaken them through combat, alone.” Strange points toward Strong Arm and Book Worm.

“I need a jar of water and rope. Find them and bring them to me.” He instructed. They both looked at each other, confused so they looked to their captain if they should do as told. “You heard him, find whatever materials he needs.” Shining Armor commanded.

Both saluted before running off. The three that stayed turned their attention back to the wraiths. Strange stood his ground. “The only way to combat them is through my astral projection.” He said.

A transparent form of Doctor Strange, but without the cloak, emerges from his body as his physical form falls backwards. Lucy Aura quickly caught his body as both she and Shining Armor were dumbfounded to see Strange’s spiritual form.

“Stay back and preserve my body, won’t you?” He asked before turning back to the wraiths, all who were charging towards him. Feeling excited, he just couldn’t unprovoke them. “Run me them hands!”

One of the wraiths went for a right hook but Strange caught it, Strange grabbed their wrist and flung them away. Another wraith punched him, staggering him but only for a moment. A wraith got the sorcerer from behind, getting him in an arm lock. Strange head butts the wraith, freeing himself and spun kicked it away.

Another tried to get him from the back but he was prepared this time as he elbowed it in the face. He swiped their legs, causing it to float upside down. Strange kicked it in another wraith’s direction, both crashing into each other.

As Doctor Strange continued to fight, both Shining Armor and Lucy Aura helped evacuate civilians away from danger. “Come on! Move it!” shouted Lucy Aura, Doctor Strange’s empty vessel was floating next to her, courtesy of the cloak, not allowing her to drag his body through the ground. “Where are those two? They should be back by now.” Shining Armor said.

And just at the nick of time, Book Worm and Strong Arm were back with rope and a glass bottle of water on hoof. “We got them, now what?” asked Book Worm, huffing and puffing for breath. “What took you so long?” Asked Lucy Aura. “Well we weren’t sure if we should bring back six hoofs of rope or twelve hoofs of rope.” Shining Armor lets out a breath of being annoyed. “I’ll bring them to him. Evacuate the civilians, got it?” Shining Armor left before they confirmed their orders.

Running through the terrorized town, ruined by phantoms, he searches for a large commotion he could find. He spots a swarm of wraiths overwhelming Doctor Strange. “Doctor!” Shining Armor shouted over. Strange heard him, but he was busy trying not to die. “I have the things you wanted, what do I do with them?” Shouted Shining Armor.

“Tie them together!” Said Doctor Strange. Confused, but still attentive, Shining Armor tied the rope to the jar. “What now?” He shouted over. Strange heard him. “Pray! Bless the water! And I hope to god you’re religious!”

Shining Armor was even more confused but did as told. “Uh, Lady, Faust Almighty, creator of all life, of body and soul, we ask you to bless this water: as we use it in faith, forgive our misdeeds and save us from all that is evil.”

“Now swing it at them!” Doctor Strange commanded before being decked across the face and kicked away. His ectoplasmic form phased through a wall, gone. Shining Armor had no idea what this was gonna do, but if the doctor said to swing it at them, he was gonna do it with no other option.

A wraith was closed by, targeting him. As it got closer to arms reach, Shining Armor swung the rope, the jar somehow effectively hit the phantom menace head on. The wraith’s body exploded as if it was made of glass. Shining Armor was stunned to find the result, but before he could be more enamored, more wraiths came after seeing one of their own being maimed.

Shining Armor swung the new weapon around before swinging it at them. Every wraith was bashed away into non-existence, leaving nothing behind but bits of goo. Many tried to escape seeing how futile it was to fight against the unicorn.

“I can’t believe it, it worked!” Said Shining Armor.

“Of course it would, holy water proves to be the most effective against the unliving.” A voice said from behind. Shining Armor was startled to see Doctor Strange, still in astral projection. Shining Armor was almost about to swing out of reflex seeing how similar it was to the phantoms. “Woah, woah. Easier there, it’s me.” Clarified the sorcerer.

“Oh, uh, sorry. I’m not used to taking down ghosts.” Sheepishly said Shining Armor. Doctor Strange chuckled. “No, I think not.” the whistling sound of wraiths was heard away from them. The wraiths that had run must’ve come with reinforcements. “Looks like we still have more ghosts that are in need of busting.” Shining Armor said. Doctor Strange can be seen stifling his laughter. “Yeah, let’s do that.”

Minutes passed and Lucy Aura was worried where her captain was after escorting civilians to safety. “Guys, has anyone heard from the captain?” Lucy Aura asked. Both of the other two were unsure either. “Uh, no. I’m afraid not.” Replied Book Worm. Strong Arm shook his head. Now Lucy Aura began to worry.

“Come on, we gotta find the captain and the doctor.” Lucy Aura encouraged as she ran in the direction where she remembered Shining Armor headed to, while also being followed by Doctor Strange’s body. Both Strong Arm and Book Worm followed her lead.

Three of them come to a screeching halt when they see Doctor Strange and Captain Shining Armor bashing away to what looked to be the last remainder of the wraiths.

“Ah, good. My body’s here.” Said Doctor Strange before rehabiting his physical form once more.

The blob pieces of the wraiths began to move together, combining into their former structure. Doctor Strange sees this, he raises his hands into the classic magic hand gesture.“By the Omnipotent Oshtur! By the Hoary Host of Hoggoth! In the name of the Eternal Vishanti! Begone! Return to the nothingness whence you have come!” A black hole of a portal to the Dark Dimension warps above the wraiths, sucking them like a vacuum cleaner. The portal closes and the little invasion has ceased.

“Why didn’t you do that before?” Book Worm asked. Doctor Strange looked at him blankly. “If I did it early in the fight, I would’ve been jumped by those wraiths. The spell takes a long chant and concentration to pull off.” He explained.

“So if these wraiths belong to “Door-mom-whoever, then does that mean the mastermind is that monster?” Shining Armor asked. “No, but perhaps Dormammu is aiding the mastermind, which is odd. When Dormammu collaborates with someone it's never on equal grounds, because Dormammu acted like a distraction of some kind. Something strange really is going on.”

Strong Arm huffs. “The plot just gets thicker and thicker…” He said tiredly, confused and unsure about the whole thing. Strange wanted to laugh but held it in, trying to take this seriously.

“We’ve stayed here for too long, we must make haste. For all we know, the mastermind is getting closer to the fountain of youth.” Book Worm said.

“Come on, we have a long way to go.” Shining Armor said. Going back to the inn, they checked their gear before setting off to their destination through the thick forest.

Traversing through the heavy forest, they come across many large rivers. They followed the rivers to where they flow down to a big circular lake from what is seen on the map. They pass many trees that seem to get stranger and weirder.

The tree bark seems darker and twisted, as if they were distorted. Before one of the group could say anything about the trees, something quick hit Shining Armor to the ground. “Captain, are you alright?!” Lucy Aura said before also getting hit by something quick.

“Doctor, watch out!” Strong Arm quickly warns.

It also made an attempt to hit Doctor Strange. “By the Ruby Rings of Raggaddor!” magic disks manifested as he deflected whatever was about to hit him. Branches slithered out and grasped all the ponies and the human, raising them off the ground.

“It’s the trees! The trees are alive!” Shouted Book Worm.

“By the Sacred Sword of the Vishanti,” Doctor Strange formed a dao sword that looked to be made of fire, glass and light. He cuts through the branches, so did the other ponies who used their own spears to cut the branches.

The group fell back to the ground and the trees raised, tearing its roots out of the ground. The trees turned and revealed their haunting faces. One of them tried to grab Doctor Strange with its branches but he made it get away by swinging his flaming sword at it. One of the trees plucked Lucy Arms away from the group. “Lucy!” Shining Armor shout, seeing his squad member being taken away to god knows where.

Doctor Strange sees this and tries to cut the branches off holding her by throwing a magic disk but misses. Soon, Strong Arm and Book Worm were also swept away by the trees. “No!!” Shining Armor screams. “Captain!” one shouts.

Doctor Strange was furious to see the ponies being taken away, he felt helpless in saving them. Even with all the eight years of studying magic, learning thousands of spells for any situation and convenience, he was too slow to react. In his wrath, he formed his emotional energy into a spell that requires his hatred. “By the Bolts of Bedevilment, may you be in dismemberment!!!”

He fired a powerful beam that blew Shining Armor away as Doctor Strange blasted the trees into nothing but piles of ashes and smoke. When he finally stopped his arms fell to his side, breathing heavily from exerting his emotion into magic.

Shining Armor picked himself up to see Doctor Strange’s massacre of the area around them, it’s as if it was the aftermath of a wildfire. Remembering the kidnapping of his team he quickly searched. “Quick! We must find them! Do you remember which direction they were taken?”

“Yeah,” Doctor Strange confirmed as he pointed in the direction where they were heading. “Looks like they’re being taken to where we were wanting to go.” Doctor Strange said. “Then let’s go!” Shining Armor ran with Doctor Strange flying after him, hovering beside him.

They came to a stop when they were at the large round lake they planned to be at. “Where are they?” Shining Armor asked, frustrated. They looked around to see if they found a hint or a clue.

“Look,” Doctor Strange calls over as he kneels down to a Royal Guard spear. Shining Armor stood next to him. Looking at the area the spear was in, it was close to the lake. “There’s something in there.” Shining Armor spoke out his thoughts. Doctor Strange hums in agreement.

Doctor Strange took a careful look at the water to see how deep it was. The lake was very deep, he could see seaweeds and fish at the bottom. He also noticed something else in there. “What is that?” Doctor Strange points at the object. Shining Armor looks and sees to what looks like a sunken tower made of stone bricks.

Before they could do anything, they heard a rough voice. “Hello, there.” They turned to see an old dark green pony with silver mane. “I’ve never seen anypony go here before other than myself. Are you here for sightseeing?” asked the old pony.

“Who are you?” asked Doctor Strange. The old pony did a little bow. “Ah, my name is Hammer Nail, from Trotsylvania. And you two?” asked the old pony. “I am Shining Armor, captain of the Royal Guards, this is-” But before he could say his companion’s name, Doctor Strange said it first. “Doctor Sanders.” he lied. The old pony looked at him oddly as he never heard a name like it before. Hammer shrugs. “Nice to meet you, Sanders. So, what brings you two here, if I may ask?”

“My team has been taken, they’re here somewhere. And my guess is that they’re somewhere in there.” Shining Armor points his hoof at the water. The old pony takes a good look at it before turning to him. “That old thing? How could they possibly be in there if there is a riddle that is unsolvable?”

“There’s a riddle?” Doctor Strange asked. “Yes, well, there are three riddles. They are told in a story from when I was a child, if those with a heart of gold answer the riddles.” Hammer said. “What are the riddles?” Doctor Strange asked. The old pony closed his eyes to recite by memory.

“You're stuck in a door with no doors or windows. You have an orange and a knife. How do you escape?” Both Shining Armor and Doctor Strange pondered the riddles, and after a minute of thought, Doctor Strange answered. “You use the knife to cut the orange in half. Half plus half equals a whole, and you escape through the hole.”

Shining Armor looked at him weirdly and confused. “What?” He asked. Doctor Strange explains. “It’s word play, two halves make a whole thing, a small tunnel is a hole. Both whole and hole with a double-u sound similar.”

Hammer started the next riddle; “Four men were in a boat on the lake. The boat turns over, and all the four men sink to the bottom of the lake, yet not a single man got wet. Why?” After much more pondering than the last one, Doctor Strange answered. “They were all married, because none of them are single.”

Hammer nodded before saying the last riddle: “I am the fountain which no one can drink. For many I am considered a necessary link. Like gold to all I am sought for, but my continued death brings more wealth for all who want more. What am I?”

“The Fountain of Youth.” Doctor Strange quickly answered this time for he already knew what it was. The main goal. There was silence, an expectation of some sort. But nothing with the exception of crickets. “Was something supposed to happen? Why hasn’t it happened yet?” Shining Armor asked.

“Yeah, there’s something I forgot about. There’s some words that you gotta combine. Nopony knew what it was, many people tried, but none succeeded so far.” The oldpony said. Doctor Strange started thinking. He looked toward the drowning tower, wondering why it was there in the first place.

“Does this tower have any connection to history? What was the story even about?” Doctor Strange asked. The old pony looked away in shame and embarrassment. “Ah, my memories aren’t what they used to be. It’s been so long I have forgotten.”

Shining Armor spoke up. “Before the Alicorn Princesses became our rulers, there was a time when there were three tribes, one of earths, one of unicorns and one of pegasus. Three of them were against each other. They nearly died to their own ego for they weren’t good in some areas of their survival, if it wasn’t for a unicorn and pegasus who were madly in love with each other at a young age. Their love was so strong that they managed to conjoin the three tribes as a whole under one banner. They built a kingdom here but it was sunken under strange circumstances.”

Doctor Strange pondered the story, he compared the history and the riddles, finding what relates them together. “Whole Married Youth?” He utters. Suddenly, the ground began to shake, the tower from the pond, rising as it pierced the sky.

They were amazed by the enormous and elegant tower. Its structure was fascinating because of its smooth design. It reminded the human sorcerer of an old classic Disney film; Rapunzel.

Doctor Strange turned to the oldpony. “Thanks for the help, we’ll take it from here.” He said before turning to Shining Armor. “Come on, I'll carry you.” He said with a pick up gesture. Shining Armor was reluctant but gave in, feeling embarrassed to be picked up like a plush toy as his face flushed red, visible through his white fur, which the good doctor thought was cute.

“Wait! Can I join you? It’s been my childhood dream to see the inside of the castle.” Doctor Strange thought about it before Shining Armor spoke first. “After we have saved my team and checked if it’s safe, we’ll let you join us.” The oldpony didn’t seem so pleased to hear that answer but made no complaint. “What a queer fellow.” comment Shining Armor.

Doctor Strange flies around the structure, searching for a way until he finds one at the very top side of the tower. “How does anyone expect to enter this tower when the entrance is so high?” Doctor Strange said his thoughts. Shining Armor simply answered. “Flight of a pegasi or teleportation of a unicorn.” Doctor Strange thought over the answer. “Okay, but how do earth ponies get it?” and Shining Armor responded simply. “With the help of other pegasus or unicorns.”

Entering the tower, a grand spiral staircase seemed to go down endlessly into an abyss. With a mutter of Doctor Strange, an incantation of a simple spell, conjured an orb of light hovered to the center of the spiral staircase. “Tread carefully, this building is ancient so there’s bound to be loose structure on the verge of collapse.” Warned Shining Armor. Doctor Strange nodded. “Got it.”

Climbing down the stairs slowly and cautiously, they encountered no difficulty but cobwebs and dust. Once they are at the end of the stairs, they step into an empty hall with worn and faded portraits that decorated the walls. The portraits were of two ponies, portraits of an infant colt. Must be the lovers and their child, Strange thought.

Into the depths they went, they stopped to a small staircase that leads to what looked to be the living room. It was grand, filled with trinkets and statues, the walls were occupied with shelves of books and decorated with crossed swords, spears and empty flower pots. There was a family portrait hanging above a once lit fireplace with no hint of recent fire.

Walking through the halls, realizing there were corridors which must mean this secret building was massive deep underground. Seeing no trace of Shining Armor’s team mates, they kept on exploring the forgotten tomb that was once a home. “We should split up, to cover more ground.” Doctor Strange suggested. Shining Armor thought it was a terrible idea, but seeing how there are more halls than they thought, it would be best to find his team quickly by taking such a risk. He agreed and they went their separate ways.

Walking through the empty dead hallways, the only audible sound he hears are his footsteps against the marble floors. Minutes of walking and taking turns lead to nothing but more corridors with empty rooms. Not even a bedroom, a kitchen or anything. This place was like a maze, a liminal space of what looked to be a never ending hall. Just how do these so-called youth couples take comfort in this labyrinth? Or maybe there was more to it than it is told from Shining Armor. It made him think; If these couples had access to immortality, where are they? Why leave a mystical fountain to be forgotten?

If this tower can be accessed by those with a heart of gold, why hasn’t anyone opened it before? For he was sure these ponies expressed nothing but heart of gold. He felt no greed, no wrath and no sense of evil from the citizens of Equestria, it was like a world of good people, and yet nobody has bothered to try and open the tower if it is known from a fairytale story, if what the oldpony said was true. Was it out of respect for the dead?

So many questions and so little answers, it frustrates him when he has no access to such information.

He felt like he was being watched, like there was something there with him. When he stopped for a moment, he swore he heard another step after his own, was it the echo of the halls? Or was there truly something with him? He felt unease, shivers through his spine, like bugs crawling up his body. He turns to see nobody, he turns back and moves on.

He kept himself distracted to ease his fear, like, how do these spiders live here? So many webs on the corners of the ceiling, so little life fills these halls. What food do these spiders thrive on when there's no prey, no flies or anything. Or maybe the spiders are dead, since he hasn’t seen any spiders, just traces of their presence. Left to collect dust. Sometimes he sees something in the corner of his eyes, when he blinks he sees an outline of a shape. Must be his paranoid imagination, he thought.

He kept on walking until he spotted a soft blue light illuminating from a room with no door at the end of the hall. He made sure his steps were quieter as he walked closer to the room, but for all he knew; his loud steps from before probably echoed into the room, so there was probably no point in trying to be sneaky.

Nevertheless, he wanted to be safe rather than sorry. He peeked into the room, like a child trying to sneak into a kitchen, he saw where the light was comingfrom. A beautifully made fountain with angelic wings, the water itself was the reason light illuminated from. He gawked at the existence, only ever hearing it in the history books of human men trying to find such treasure, only to be found in another universe.

The sorcerer supreme stepped close to it to see it only to be interrupted by a shout. “Doctor Strange! Over here!” a voice echoed through the corridors, bouncing off the walls like a tennis ball on steroids.

“That sounded like Shining Armor! I have to hurry!” Without hesitation or thought, he abandoned the fountain and used the Eye of Agamotto to retrace his steps with ease before following Shining Armor’s. Flying through the corridors, he stops as he finds a room where Shining Armor is tied up with his team. He quickly releases them with a flick of his hand from a simple spell. “What happened?” Doctor Strange asked urgently from them.

“It’s that Hammer Nail, he tricked us! He lied!” Shining Armor quickly answers. “And he lured me in here.” said Doctor Strange as something clicked in his mind as he realized it doesn't make sense that Shining’s voice echoed through the corridors. Before more could be said, the door to the room closed, locking behind Doctor Strange. He sees the enchantment on the door, a sigil. “An enchantment lock? That’s okay, I can work with that. I’m great with picking locks.” Said Doctor Strange.

He stepped up to the sigil, he hovered his hands over it as they glowed a yellow light. But just then, dark purple goo seems to manifest from the walls, Shining Armor’s team sees this and quickly armed themselves with their weapons on the ground. Lucy Aura was left defenseless before her missing spear was given back to her by her captain. With a small nod of gratitude, they faced their enemy together.

The goo morphs into tall humanoid structures, some chubby, some skinny, at least about nine of them. They attacked first, using their arms like whips. The ponies block their attacks, but one of the goo latches onto Strong Arm’s spear. Strong Arm struggled to get back his spear, but with the help of Book Worm, who cut the goo’s arm off, Strong Arm got his weapon back.

Lucy Aura charged into the goo, spinning her spear so fast like a deadly edge fan. She cut through the good like hot metal against butter. She was almost attacked from behind but was saved by her captain.

Shining Armor and his team sliced and diced the goo creatures into nothing but jello. But the pieces crawl together to form an even bigger, massive giant figure. Both Shining Armor and Book Worm focused their horns to hold back the goo with a magic beam. “Doctor, when is that door gonna open?” Shining Armor asked urgently.

“I’m working on it…” Strained Doctor Strange. He concentrated on the lock as sweat became visible on his forehead.

All four ponies struggled to take down the large goo. It swings its heavy arms to swat away the ponies. The ponies did manage to land a hit, but its body was just too thick to cut through, only small cuts were made but healed quickly. It may seem hopeless but they never stopped fighting.

Strong Arm launched Lucy Aura high into the air, she dived while holding her spear’s blade at the chest area of the goo beast. She pierced through but was stuck halfway in and out. “Captain, help!” She cried.

“I’m coming, just hold on!” said Shining Armor, as he charged up his horn, a visible force made of blue sparkles surrounded Lucy Aura and tried to pull her out. The goo squeezed harder around Lucy to cease their attempt. A green beam shot it in the back from Book Worm, taking its attention on him as Lucy managed to slip out of the goo’s chest with bits of goo on her mane and armor. “Gross!” she shrieks

Doctor Strange worked on the sigil like a mental puzzle, taking a slight toll on the mind. But with enough experience, he got it unlocked causing the sigil to fizzle away. “Got it!” He called, he turned and was surprised to see Shining Armor’s team fighting a goo monster. “Oh, damn…”

Seeing their struggle, Doctor Strange only needed to raise one hand. “By the Flames of the Faltine, let it be in smithereens.” A mystic fire sprouted from his gloved hand and surrounded the monster. As it burns it lets out a deep whimper before melting into a puddle before evaporating.

Shining’s team fell to their haunches, taking a moment of breath to accumulate their energy. “Everyone alright?” Strange asked. What he got in response were nods and yeps.

Strange made an attempt to check them over despite the mental exhaustion from lock picking. He stopped when he felt his legs weak, forcing him to support himself on a wall. “How strange, I have never felt this exhausted since after graduation. It’s like my brain is being squeezed and my vision is in a state of frenzy.” He thought as he placed a hand on the side of his face. “What is up with my magic? It’s almost like my connection to the Vishanti is almost weakening. Could my stay in this world have lasted so long that the barriers of our dimensions are blocking the connection?”

“No! It doesn't make sense! Traveling to other dimensions shouldn’t hinder a sorcerer’s power. My connection to other mystic principalities are fine; Watoomb, Faltine, Cyttorack, Valtorr, etcetera. All of them except the Vishanti; Agamotto, Oshtur and Hoggoth, the very ones who don't leave me a huge burden in invoking their power.” Doctor Strange notices the ponies have recovered and are picking themselves up. “I’ll think about this later, I have a job to do.” From that moment on, he allowed his cloak to lift him off the ground to spare him the energy he might need later instead of wasting it on walking.

“Follow me, I have found the Fountain of Youth.” All followed him through the long corridors, retracing his steps to where he found it the first time. They stopped at the entrance and were surprised to see the oldpony, Hammer Nail, at the edge of the fountain.

Doctor Strange confronts him at a distance. “I already know who you are, so there is no point in disguising yourself as a defenseless oldpony. Reveal yourself, Baron Mordo!” He called out with a glare.

The oldpony chuckled before laughing, a sinister laugh that would haunt children and bring a cold chill to men and women. In a flash of light, the old pony forms into its true identity. An old hunched human wearing a green tunic with a yellow symbol similar to Doctor Strange, hidden by a long black collar that reaches to his waist, and extends to his shoulders that is connected to a black cape. “I’m curious, how did you know?” Mordo asked.

Doctor Strange explains “It was obvious. The moment I found out whose oldcastle on earth belonged to is when I saw a family portrait bearing the family name ‘Mordo’. At first I had my doubts. But then I knew someone like you would have connections to Dormammu and Nightmare. Silver Dagger was the one who confirmed my suspicions!” Doctor Strange said as he pointed fiercely at Mordo. “I still have one mystery that bothers me; after all these years, how are you still alive?”

Mordo smirks. “You should know from your history books that I’m persistent, difficult to stay dead when I’m motivated to rip out your title for myself to be the true Sorcerer Supreme in the name of my family’s honor. I won’t bore you the monologue, so I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

“In that case, step away from the fountain. You’re under arrest in the name of the Royal Sisters.” Shining Armor steps in. But Doctor Strange thrust out a hand in front of Shining Armor, stopping him from moving. “Please, allow me to take care of this old ass.” As the overconfident sorcerer supreme approaches, Mordo’s smirk grows.

In an instant, Mordo shot a dark orb through Doctor Strange’s body, Strange wasn’t able to react in time as the dark orb phased through him. He felt as if the dark orb pushed it as he took a step back. He checked over his chest, unsure of what just happened. Unbenounced to him, his shadow grew longer, as if alive.

A figure forms, rising from the shadow. “Doctor, behind you!” Strong Arm warns. Doctor Strange turns and is shocked to see a figure emerging from his shadow. Soon, the living shadow took shape, morphing into a dark sickly figure, a physical copy of Doctor Strange!

The ponies step back, stunned to see this kind of spell. The dark shadow of Doctor Strange steps closer to the real one while Doctor Strange forces himself to stand and face his evil counterpart. Lucy noticed Mordo slowly descending his old body into the fountain. “Hey!” She shouted as she charged in to intervene but was hit against an invisible force, revealed to be a barrier that surrounds the fountain, keeping Mordo safe during the process of regaining his youth.

The group tried to aid Doctor Strange but was commanded to stop by him. “Don’t! Leave me to myself, you four try to stop Mordo. I’ll handle this faker.”

Doctor Strange and his evil clone starts off with a standoff. It was like those cowboy films. Who would be fast to pull a spell? As if time had slowed down, in a moment of fear but without hesitation, both flung their arms forward to cast a magic spell. “Taste the Sacred Sword of the Vishanti!”

Both conjured their dao sword and took a swing at each other, their blades locked in a clash. Both used their might to push back the other but were unable as they were equal in strength. Jumping back to give themselves space, they analyzed each other, sizing each other up.

The dark variant charged, forcing the doctor to use a defensive stance. Strange tried to throw a fireball of the faltine but was dodged. Dark Doctor Strange leaped up high in the air, diving in Doctor Strange direction. “By the Ruby Ring of Raggadorr, protect me forever more!” Doctor Strange quickly conjured his shield and blocked his sinister’s attack. Sinister Strange backflipped off the shield.

Doctor Strange took a swing at it but he missed as it quickly stepped back. Sinister Strange placed its palm onto the ground, the ground around him shook before vines grew out to attack Doctor Strange. He quickly dispatched them by slicing through them before they could touch them. Sinister Strange saw his opening and took advantage of it. It shot him in the back with the Blades of Daveroth. The sharply red triangles gave Doctor Strange cuts all over his body but was able to be protected by his cloak.

Doctor Strange kicked the ground and the ground underneath Sinister Strange bulged out a pillar hitting it in the face. Figuring out the spell, Sinister Strange quickly jumped away the moment its feet touched the ground. The ground kept manifesting pillars in an attempt to crush the living shadow.

It fought back by destroying the pillars until it was tackled down by Doctor Strange. He went for a few punches as the shadow variant blocked his blows before kicking him off. Doctor Strange stumbled from the kick as his cloak balances him on the floor which gave Sinister Strange a chance.

The dark variant swiped Strange’s legs off the ground, Strange almost fell but his back didn’t hit the floor but hovered from his cloak’s help. His dark variant went for a stab but he fiercely kicked him in the face, staggering his evil twin. Taking the opportunity he blasted a bolt. “Flames of the Faltine!” The bolt hit its target hard; it kicked the evil twin off its feet before hitting the ground hard.

With Dark Strange down, Doctor Strange went for the kill.

“Crimson Bands of Cyttorak!” red crimson bands protrude from his hands as they bind Evil Strange. Doctor Strange lifted it up off the ground before slamming it down. He repeated this over and over. Then he stopped only for a moment before pulling the bands as hard as possible. This causes the dark variant to be squeezed as black liquid spat out from its hollow eyes and mouth and its limbs almost be torn off.

It didn’t scream in pain, not even a whimper, it was truly an empty puppet of himself so Doctor Strange felt no remorse in crushing it. With just fierce pull, it immediately destroyed the shadow until it was nothing but pieces that dissolved soon after.

Doctor Strange let out a breath of exhaustion as he hunches. But knowing there’s more work to be done, he straightens out his back before facing Mordo.

Light radiated from the fountain, nearly blinding the ponies for they quickly stepped back farther away.

A silhouette emerges from the fountain, the once old, raggedy man on his last thread of life has been made anew in a much younger form. The bright light from the fountain shadowed Mordo’s youth which gave it a terrifying presence of what power he now beholds.

Doctor Strange stares with an unyielding confidence, but a single sweat from his head made it clear he had a seed of doubt in his mind, if he truly was capable of facing Mordo in his prime. There was only one way to find out…

To Be Continued