Follow My Lead

- - - - -

Stephen had been learning remarkably well. After months of staying in the Kamar-Taj and working with the Masters of the Mystic Arts, he mastered most of their practises. His room was right next to Ana's which allowed them to talk. She learned about his car accident and how he blew all his money on misleading and unsatisfying treatments to fix his hands. He also gave her an insight to what was happening in the real world.

Currently, Ana strolled the halls of the Kamar-Taj temples with a smile. Everyone smiled back politely as if it was just another normal day. But her smile was a facade. Inside she was planning something. Earlier that day she had tried to take one of the books in Ancient One's private collection — the Book of Cagliostro. It was missing a page that Kaecilius took before he ran off. All she knew was that it required the Dark Arts, something no one should mess with.

Wong caught her right before her fingers could unlock the chain keeping it on the shelf. She stayed there, arms crossed as she tapped her feet in irritation while he gave her a lecture on not touching what isn't hers. She fired back and accused him of stealing her headphones and tablet which she managed to reassemble.

He said nothing and forced her out of the library, locking the doors behind her.

She was tempted to kick the doors in, but that would result in the whole building to come down. Instead, she devised a plan. And for her plan to work, she needed another pair of hands. Specifically the hands of a doctor.

"No."

Ana's eye twitched at the answer.

Stephen was on his own tablet, writing a letter to one of his co-workers. If Ana remembered correctly, their name rhymed with pristine llama. His eyes were glued to the screen, ignoring Ana's presence. Lately, her aggression was starting to get out of hand. Usually she would take it out on sparring with Steve and Natasha, but she didn't have them anymore and the students at the Kamar-Taj dodged her whenever she asked for a fighting class.

They knew what she was capable of. And they didn't want to end up in the infirmary.

Her fists tightened and she brought one up, pretending to hit his head that she took time in cutting his hair. She closed her eyes and breathed out, relaxing her hands and decided to go for a more softer approach.

"I understand you're a teachers pet and you don't want to get in trouble when you get caught-"

"When I get caught?" Stephen turned his head and raised an eyebrow in her direction.

Ana shrugged, "In my plans, at least half of the group gets thrown under the bus. Believe it or not, I got shot one time." Protecting Bucky.

Stephen didn't look like the information was a surprise to him and sighed, sending the email and giving her his full attention. "What's in it for me?"

Ana smiled. "You become a hero."

"I was a hero. I saved people's lives for a living." Stephen scoffed, standing up.

Ana squinted her eyes in thought, glancing at the window. She then shook her head. "Come on, doc. You know Kaecilius is bad news — I've told you. He has a weapon that he plans to unleash, bringing more death and pain than you could ever imagine. You may not know of all the dark dimensions and all it's monsters, but I do. I know what's coming. And for that you're gonna have to trust me."

Stephen already trusted Ana — with his life. He was only worried about the possible outcomes from the plan. Just like her, he was eager to get a closer look at the Book of Cagliostro himself. He nodded, causing a grin to grow on her lips.

"Fine. But if we get caught you have to take the blame."

Ana smirked, showing off her Sling Ring. "I have an idea on how to dodge the five-o." She said.

"I thought you weren't allowed to use that."

"What the Ancient One doesn't know won't hurt her. Now doc, shall we play?"

- - -

"This is my apple, Strange. Get your own."

Ana smacked his shoulder with a warning when he tried to take the only piece of food she had the entire day. It was already dark out and everyone was in their rooms, staying out of the pelting rain that showered over them. They were heading for the library to get to know the book that Kaecilius was so amazed by, that led him to flee Kamar-Taj and enter on a path to evil.

Stephen rolled his eyes openly and reached out for the wooden blocks on the library's doors. He was straining to push them open. Ana stuck out her pinkie and nudged the doors open effortlessly. She smirked in his direction and bit into her red apple, before strutting inside.

"I still don't get why you're here, Ana. I mean you've got the strength, the speed, and now the abilities to conjure anything you want outta thin air — you were already super." Stephen said quietly as they walked further inside.

Ana peeked around the corner of the wall, looking into the main floor of the library. Once she saw it was clear, she motioned for him to follow. She peered up at him, "Being super ain't easy. With what I am — a Warrior — I have a feeling it would do jack against what's really out there. I like to think I'm evolving. Becoming better at what I do. Wouldn't you?" She said, smiling.

Stephen nodded. "Now I get it."

He returned the smile and she nodded, pointing at the Book of Cagliostro behind him. He plucked it from the chains and they moved to a table, setting it down. Stephen opened the book, blindly taking Ana's apple that she placed down on the surface of the table and bit it. She let him after getting a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

It rumbled and she placed a hand on it, using the other to cover her mouth when her insides churned. Stephen glanced at her, worried. "You okay?"

Ana shook her head, dismissing it. "Fine. Don't fret, doc. Now, what do we got here?" She cleared her throat and craned her neck to get a better look at the book. What immediately caught her eye was the drawing of the Eye of Agamotto, the amulet that always resided on top of the pedestal right in front of them.

Stephen had the same thought and they both lifted their heads to stare at it. Their eyes met and Ana turned her head toward the back of the library, calling out a name.

"Wong?"

Stephen didn't hear a response and stood, walking over to take the amulet. He placed the artefact around his neck and joined Ana. She was skimming over the words on the page they were currently looking at and raised an eyebrow when she realised he was wearing it.

"Don't break it." She playfully warned.

"Yeah... I don't think I can afford a replacement." He replied.

He gave Ana a look and she raised an eyebrow, putting her hands up when she knew he wanted some space. "You have the floor." She murmured. She stood back and watched as he read the pages.

"Uh, open the Eye of Agamotto." He mumbled, positioning his fingers to fit the description. He waved them, driving them in opposite directions.

Ana widened her eyes when the Eye opened, revealing it's glowing green gem. Stephen then manifested a projection of a symbol that extended to his right elbow. He aimed his right had at the half eaten apple and tested the Eye of Agamotto's power. From half eaten to it all done, the apple changed with the wave of Stephen's hand. Ana watched again as he reversed the cast, bringing the apple back to its whole.

"Oh my." He whispered.

"That's awesome." Ana added.

He done it again, going even further by allowing the apple to rot then changing it to its ripe state. Ana shoved the apple away and slid the Book of Cagliostro up. Stephen hastily flipped through the pages until they found where Kaecilius had ripped the forbidden ritual from. Stephen pivoted his hand and the pages appeared.

Ana narrowed her eyes in confusion. "Dormammu?"

"The Dark Dimension. Eternal life." Stephen recited the words that stood out from the rest. And in doing so, a crystal barrier formed in front of them at the head of the table. Ana shook her head, "Stop, Stephen!" She called.

Another voice yelled out from behind them. "Stop!"

They turned to face Baron and Wong who wore faces of fear and anger. As soon as they turned back the crystal wall was gone. Wong stepped next to Ana while Baron joined Stephen. "Tampering with the continuum of probability is forbidden!" Baron strongly stated.

Still in the state of shock, Stephen stuttered. "I- I was... I was just doing exactly what it said in the book!"

"And what did the book say about the dangers of performing that ritual?" Wong asked.

Ana shrugged, "We didn't get to that part yet, Wong."

"Temporal manipulations can create branches in time. Unstable dimensional openings. Spacial paradoxes! Time loops! You want to get stuck reliving the same moment over, and over, forever, or never having existed at all?" Baron scolded. Ana felt like a little kid who was caught drawing on the wall with a permanent marker. She ducked her head, mentally kicking herself.

Baron noticed the shy movements and softened up a little. He composed himself as Stephen spoke. "They really should put the warnings before that stuff." He said, not looking either of them in the eye.

Wong shook his head, "Your curiosity could have gotten you killed. The both of you." He caught Ana's gaze and she mumbled out a sorry. He sighed, he knew she was a good person with good intentions, but she should have know better. He turned to Stephen. "You weren't manipulating the space-time continuum, you were breaking it." He shut the book and took it away from them.

"We do not tamper with natural law. We defend it."

Baron took one look at the Eye of Agamotto around Stephen's neck and pointed at him. "How did you learn to do that? Where did you learn the litany of spells required to even understand it?" He asked in awe and slight confusion.

"I've got a photographic memory. It's how I got my MD and PhD at the same time." Stephen answered.

Ana rubbed her cheek nervously. "Stephen's been excelling at the practises a lot faster than me, Baron. He belongs here." She added.

Baron set his eyes on Ana lightly. "You are an excellent student, Ana. What he did takes more than a good memory."

"You were born for the mystic arts." Wong told Stephen.

Stephen glanced at his hands. "And yet, my hands still shake."

"For now, yes." Wong said.

"Not forever?" He breathed out, looking at his fellow sorcerers.

"We're not prophets." Baron stated.

"When do you start telling me what we are?" Stephen fired back.

Baron and Wong shared a look. They then lead Stephen and Ana to the pedestal where the Eye is kept. Wong activated the projection of Earth that hovered above the pedestal. "While heroes like Ana — the Avengers — protect the world from physical dangers, we sorcerers safeguard it against more mystical threats." Wong explained. "The Ancient One is the latest in a long line of Sorcerers Supreme going back thousands of years to the father of the Mystic Arts, the mighty Agamotto. The same sorcerer who created the eye you so recklessly borrowed."

Stephen looked down bashfully at the amulet he wore as Ana listened on. "Agamotto built three Sanctums in places of power, where great cities now stand." Wong pointed to the three doors surrounding them. "That door leads to the Hong Kong Sanctum, that door to the New York Sanctum. That one, to the London Sanctum. Together, the Sanctums generate a protective shield around our world."

The three symbols of the Sanctums formed across the golden projection of Earth above them. "The Sanctums protect the world, and we sorcerers protect the Sanctums." Baron simplified.

"From what?" Stephen drawled.

"Other dimensional beings that threaten our universe." Ana said, already knowing more than she was supposed to.

"Like Dormammu?" Stephen wondered, glancing at Ana for confirmation.

"Where did you learn that name?" Baron asked them, looking between Stephen and Ana.

"I just do." Ana answered.

"And I just read it in the Book of Cagliostro. Why?" Stephen added.

Wong switched the gears on the pedestal, darkening the projection of Earth and showing them the world of darkness. "Dormammu dwells in the Dark Dimension. Beyond time. He is the cosmic conquerer, the destroyer of worlds. A being of infinite power and endless hunger, on a quest to invade every universe and bring all worlds into his Dark Dimension. And he hungers for Earth most of all."

"Let's hope he doesn't smell us then, right?" Ana offered a smile, trying to lighten the mood. It was wiped off when Wong shook his head at her, telling her it wasn't the time for jokes.

"The pages that Kaecilius stole..." Stephen started.

"A ritual to contact Dormammu and draw power from the Dark Dimension." Wong finished for him.

Ana furrowed her brows when Stephen began to chuckle nervously. To the Masters it sounded like he didn't believe what they were telling him. "Uh... okay. Okay. I... I'm out. I... I came here to heal my hands, not to fight in some mystical war."

Ana shook her head, pinching the bridge of her nose. Just then, the bell for the London Sanctum Santorum rung, alerting them all. Wong looked up, "London." He called.

The doors to the London Sanctum flew open and they all turned to see one of the Masters that guarded it run through them in horror, with Kaecilius right behind. He had just made it to the other side of the barrier when a crystal shard pierced his back, making him fall to his knees with a cry of pain.

"Kaecilius! No!"

Kaecilius created a large ball of energy that he then dropped onto the floors of the Sanctum, blowing the place to ruin. The debris showered over them since the blast spread onto their side, knocking them all down. Ana managed to create a mystical shield after she took a few hits that prevented the fire from burning her skin. She was thrown away into an unknown surrounding with Stephen.

Both of them were cradling their heads, their ears ringing from the explosion. Blood ran down the side of Ana's head as she shook away the shield.

"Wong? Mordo?" Stephen called out.

Ana stood up, her legs almost giving out. She held onto a column, accidentally knocking over a golden vase. Stephen finally saw Ana and she looked at him, "You okay?"

"No. Where are we?" He looked around at the extravagant mansion. Ana recognised most of the relics that were on display and she cringed when she saw what she had broken.

"We're in a Sanctum. Not sure which one though." She said.

Stephen took Ana's elbow, helping her to stand. She followed him as he trailed down the red carpet to the double doors across from them. Each of them pushed one open and they stumbled out onto the street. Stephen surveyed the building while Ana stared at the New Yorkers passing her by with confusion written on their faces at the sight of her attire. Her heart rate began to speed up. She could see it, the tall building that stood out from the rest.

The Avengers Tower, Tony's old building. She was home.

"Hey, I think we're in New York." Stephen called out, glancing at the plate on the side of the building with '177A Bleecker Street' engraved on it.

"Yeah, no shit Sherlock." Ana huffed, turning back and running inside the Sanctum, and off the streets. Stephen trailed behind her, locking the doors.

If Kaecilius was targeting each Sanctum, then either the Hong Kong or the New York Sanctum was next. Ana was running through the never ending halls, trying to find some sort of idea on how to get back to the Kamar-Taj and warn the rest of them. She had checked her robes, her Sling Ring must have fallen off during the blast. She came upon a dead end with three glass doors, the Rotunda of Gateways. Each door had a different destination — a rainforest, a valley and a sea.

Stephen sidestepped around her when she stopped and inspected the door that lead to a sea. Ana called to her Sword of Light, placing the shiny blade in her belt. She was going to need it. While Stephen played with the gateways, Ana was busy listening to the faint thumps coming from the main foyer.

"Hey, doc. You hear that?" Ana whispered.

Stephen switched one of the destinations to a desert before facing Ana. He stayed quiet, trying to hear anything out of the ordinary. He shook his head when he couldn't.

"Then again, I don't have enhanced senses." He sassed.

Ana smirked at him. She waved her hand, gesturing him to follow her lead. They walked into the room with glass cabinets containing relics and weapons. Stephen was particularly drawn to one that held a red cloak. It was levitating off the ground, and following Stephen's movements like a mirror.

Ana had her back facing the stairs. Daniel Drumm was at the bottom of them, awaiting the arrival of Kaecilius and his Zealots. It was when the warping of the lower level began that Ana heard the voice of the one who was responsible for all of this.

"Daniel. I see they made you Master of the Sanctum."

"Do you know what that means?" Daniel asked.

"That you'll die protecting it." Kaecilius created a Space Shard of glass like material in-between his hands. His other two followers did the same and attacked Daniel. Ana shouted for them to stop when Daniel toppled to the ground. She unsheathed her sword but the sight of Daniel being stabbed caused Stephen to hold her back.

Daniel cried, hunching over in pain. Kaecilius stepped in front of him, looking up at Ana and Stephen. "Ana, nice to see you." He smiled lopsidedly.

"Can't say the same. Let Daniel go." She demanded, gripping the hilt of her sword.

"You don't order me. I am of higher status, remember that." Kaecilius smirked, before glancing at Stephen. He didn't recognise him. "How long have you been at Kamar-Taj, Mister...?"