Curiosity Killed the Cat...

The conversation drifted naturally as the car sped across the desert, the hum of the engine and the soft crunch of tires against the sand providing a backdrop to the growing sense of camaraderie between the three survivors. Yinsen, ever curious and kind, leaned forward slightly, his eyes alight with interest as he studied Stephen's feline form.

"You've mentioned magic, planes of existence, and realities I never thought possible," Yinsen began gently. "But what about you, Stephen? Who are you, truly? Where did you learn all of this?"

Stephen hesitated, his gaze shifting toward the window. The desert stretched endlessly before them, the sun climbing higher into the sky, casting long shadows over the sand. He didn't often speak about himself, not in any meaningful way, but something about Yinsen's genuine curiosity made it easier to answer.

"I wasn't always… this," Stephen said softly, gesturing with his paw toward his feline body. "In my universe, I was a man. A doctor."

Yinsen raised an eyebrow, his curiosity deepening. "A doctor?"

Stephen nodded. "One of the best, or so I thought at the time. I was arrogant, selfish, obsessed with my own success. But that arrogance led to my downfall. An accident destroyed my hands, and with them, my career."

Yinsen frowned, his expression sympathetic. "That must have been devastating."

"It was," Stephen admitted, his voice distant. "I spent every ounce of my fortune searching for a cure, chasing every lead no matter how desperate. Eventually, it brought me to a place in Nepal, where I discovered something far greater than medicine: the mystical arts."

Yinsen leaned closer, captivated. "And this is where you learned… magic?"

"Yes," Stephen said, his tone steady. "I trained under the Sorcerer Supreme, a woman known as the Ancient One. She taught me to see the world for what it truly is—a vast, interconnected web of energy and possibility. She showed me how to tap into that energy, how to manipulate it, how to protect it."

He paused, his gaze softening. "But it wasn't just magic I learned. It was humility. Discipline. The importance of something greater than myself."

Yinsen nodded slowly, his voice quiet. "It sounds like you found peace there."

"For a time," Stephen said, his voice heavy with regret. "But the life of a sorcerer isn't peaceful. There's always a threat, always something that needs protecting. I became the Sorcerer Supreme after my mentor died, and with that title came a responsibility I could never have imagined."

Yinsen tilted his head. "And now you're here."

Stephen's eyes darkened, his tail flicking against the seat as the car jostled slightly as Tony hit a bump, drawing Stephen's attention back to the present. He glanced between his two companions, his blue eyes thoughtful.

"What about this world?" Stephen asked, his voice quieter now. "What is it like? I've noticed… differences. Subtle ones."

Yinsen frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

Stephen hesitated, then sighed. "I'm not from this universe, Yinsen. I come from a parallel reality—one where things are… similar, but not the same. I don't know why I was brought here, but I know I can't go back."

Yinsen's brow furrowed, his expression torn between amazement and confusion. "Another universe… It's hard to imagine, but after everything I've seen, I'm willing to believe you."

Tony, however, snorted. "Parallel universes. Right. Next you're going to tell me there's a version of me out there that isn't a billionaire genius."

Stephen smirked faintly. "There are infinite versions of you, Stark. Somewhere, there's probably a version of you who's a baker."

Tony rolled his eyes. "Great. A multiversal cake decorator. That's comforting."

Ignoring Tony's sarcasm, Yinsen leaned forward, his voice tinged with curiosity. "If you can't return to your universe… how do you cope with that? Knowing you're… displaced?"

Stephen's expression grew distant. "It's not easy," he admitted. "I've spent centuries defending my world, my timeline. To lose it all, to know I can never go back…" He paused, his voice tightening. "It's a weight I haven't yet learned how to carry."

Yinsen's voice softened. "But you seem… freer now."

Stephen glanced at him, surprised by the observation. "Freer?"

"Yes," Yinsen said with a small smile. "I don't know what you were like before, but you seem lighter now, compared to an hour ago, as though something has shifted within you."

Stephen thought about that for a moment, his gaze dropping to his paws. "Maybe you're right," he said quietly. "Maybe my master is right and is time I started to let go."

Tony had remained uncharacteristically quiet through much of the exchange, but now he glanced at Stephen again in the rearview mirror, his expression skeptical.

"Okay, hold on," Tony said, breaking the moment of quiet. "You're telling me you're from another universe, you talk to your mentor while you're asleep, and you've just… made peace with all this? How exactly does that work?"

Stephen's smirk returned, tinged with a hint of dry humor. "It doesn't always work, Stark. But I'm learning."

"Wait, back up," Tony said, his tone sharp. "If you can't go back, how did you talk to your mentor? She's here?"

"No," Stephen said, shaking his head. "Not my mentor. A parallel version of her. In this universe, she's still alive, and she knows about me—about who I am and where I come from."

Tony frowned, his fingers tightening on the steering wheel. "So, what, she's like… your multiverse pen pal?"

Stephen rolled his eyes. "Hardly. She's a sorcerer. One of the most powerful beings in any universe. She sensed my presence the moment I arrived here."

Yinsen looked intrigued. "And she… accepts you? Even though you're not from this world?"

"Yes," Stephen said softly. "She told me something that surprised me: she's proud of me. Not for what I've done, but for who I've chosen to be. For making my own choices, even when they break the rules."

Tony snorted. "Rules are overrated."

Stephen smirked faintly. "For once, I agree with you."

.

The car rumbled steadily over the desert sands, the three of them falling into a comfortable silence after their conversation. Stephen lay curled on the backseat, his eyes half-closed as he watched the golden expanse stretch endlessly before them. The warmth of the sun on his fur was soothing, lulling him toward rest—until his ears twitched at a faint but distinct sound.

Rotors.

Stephen sat up, his gaze sharpening as the sound grew louder. "Helicopters," he muttered, his tail flicking with irritation.

"What?" Tony asked, glancing at him in the rearview mirror.

"Helicopters," Stephen repeated, his tone firm. "Coming this way."

Tony slowed the car, his brow furrowing as he tilted his head to listen. Yinsen frowned, leaning forward slightly as the faint thrum of rotors became clearer, the sound carrying through the desert air. Without a word, Tony stopped the car and turned off the engine, plunging them into silence. The only sound now was the low, rhythmic beat of the approaching helicopters.

"Shit," Tony muttered, his fingers tightening on the steering wheel. "They're looking for us."

Yinsen's expression turned grim, his gaze darting toward the horizon. "How far away are they?"

"Close," Stephen said, his voice calm but clipped. "Too close."

Tony exhaled sharply, leaning back in his seat as he weighed their options. "Alright. New plan. We get out of the car, find some cover, and wait them out. If they're scouting, they might not spot us. Unless you think they're friendlies?"

Yinsen's gaze turned to the horizon, his brow furrowing. "It could be the military… or another group entirely."

Stephen listened closely, his ears swiveling. There was no sign of immediate hostility, no raised voices or weapons fire, just the steady hum of the helicopters. His sharp eyes scanned the sky until he finally spotted them—a trio of aircraft, their markings clear now that they were closer.

"They're rescuers," Stephen said finally, his tone calm but certain. "No weapons raised. No sign of attack. They're looking for you."

Tony sat back in his seat, relief flickering across his face before he masked it with his usual bravado. "About damn time."

Yinsen sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. "Thank God."

Stephen, on the other hand, straightened himself. He stretched lazily, his claws flexing against the seat, and let out a faint yawn. "Good," he said simply. "You'll be safe now."

Yinsen frowned, glancing down at him. "What do you mean?"

"This is where I take my leave."

"You're leaving?" Yinsen said, blinking in surprise.

"Yes," Stephen replied, his voice steady. "I've done what I came to do. I wanted to ensure you both made it out safely, and you have. You don't need me anymore."

Tony, who had been silent for a beat, suddenly turned in his seat. "Oh, no. You're not going anywhere. You're coming with us," Tony said simply, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Stephen blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "I've fulfilled my purpose with you both already. I don't belong here. My place is… somewhere else."

"Yeah? Where's that, exactly?" Tony asked, crossing his arms. "Back to wandering the desert like some kind of magical hobo? What, are you going to meditate on a rock until the next helicopter passes by?"

Stephen's tail flicked irritably. "I'll manage."

"Nope," Tony said, cutting him off. Without warning, he leaned back and scooped Stephen up in one swift motion, holding the black cat firmly in his lap. Stephen let out an indignant yowl, his claws flexing against the air.

"What are you doing?" Stephen demanded, glaring up at Tony.

"Keeping you around," Tony replied matter-of-factly. "You're coming with us."

Stephen blinked, caught off guard. "I don't think you understand. I don't belong here, Stark. I have no identity in this world, no place. What exactly do you expect me to do? Follow you around like some kind of—"

"Stray?" Tony interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, you're a cat now, better stick to it and come with us like a good little kitten."

Stephen's eyes narrowed. "I've done my part. My job is done."

"Yeah, well, I don't think so," Tony said, his tone casual but firm. "If you start a job, you finish it. You can't just ditch us now."

Yinsen, who had been watching the exchange with quiet amusement, finally chimed in. "He has a point, Stephen. You've already come this far."

Stephen let out a long sigh, his ears pinning back as he looked between them. "You're insufferable, both of you."

"Yeah, well, you're stuck with us now," Tony said, grinning as he settled Stephen back onto the seat. "And besides, I'm curious. Magic, parallel universes… You're not off the hook yet."

Stephen huffed, his tail flicking sharply against the seat. "This is a mistake."

"Maybe," Tony said with a shrug. "But if it is, we'll deal with it together."