Marvel: I Started by Containing SCPs

"Master Ancient One was right. My connection to Kamar-Taj hasn't been severed, which means I can still use its magic!"

Strange looked at his hands, recalling the fireball spell he had just cast. It was one of the foundational spells developed by the Ancient One after establishing Kamar-Taj's independent magic source. It was also the first spell apprentices were required to master—because, as the Ancient One had joked, "RPG games made it a staple."

"Yes! My link to Kamar-Taj is intact! I can still draw on its power to cast spells!" Strange thought excitedly.

Kamar-Taj magicians traditionally relied on borrowed energy to perform magic since they lacked significant magical reserves of their own. Without access to external power, Strange would have been utterly defenseless.

"That was a little warm," the Terrifying Elder muttered, slowly floating up with a sinister grin fixed on Strange.

In response, Strange immediately cast another spell. Pressing the magical circles on his hands together, he unleashed a bolt of lightning toward the elder.

The elder raised a hand, causing the black water around him to surge upward like a waterfall, effortlessly blocking the attack.

"This is my domain. You are no match for me," the elder declared, lifting his hands. The surrounding black water rose into massive waves and crashed toward Strange.

Strange quickly retreated, his eyes darting around as he frantically formulated a countermeasure.

Forming a new magical circle, he spun it between his hands and hurled it forward just before the waves reached him. A massive tornado emerged, sucking in the oncoming waves and dispersing them. When the tornado dissipated, the water fell harmlessly back to the ground.

"How many times can you block me?" the elder sneered, flexing his fingers.

Around the pocket dimension, numerous dark holes appeared, from which a foul-smelling black liquid gushed forth, flooding toward Strange like a deadly tide.

The corrosive black water was lethal upon contact. Being submerged in it would undoubtedly mean a horrifying death.

"Shit! Shit!" Strange cursed, conjuring a massive shield to protect himself from the onslaught of black water.

"That's the Shield of Seraphim! And earlier, that was Watoomb's Wind!" Wong exclaimed as he watched through the screen.

Both spells required contracts with higher-dimensional entities to perform, yet Strange had managed to replicate them just by self-study in Kamar-Taj's library.

"This guy's talent is unreal," Wong muttered, while even Mordo couldn't help but look impressed.

"Still, he won't last long against the elder. He'll exhaust his strength and magical energy soon," Mordo observed, frowning as he noted Strange's visible fatigue.

...

In the Mexican bar, Steve Rogers watched the screen curiously.

"So this is the power of Kamar-Taj magicians," he remarked, marveling at the magic on display. Having just recently awakened in this era, he was still adjusting to how much the world had changed.

"Impressive, but not unbeatable. Their spells require forming those magic circles first. If you interrupt them before they finish, they're helpless," Tony Stark commented dismissively.

"Why hasn't the Ancient One stepped in? Strange clearly can't hold on much longer," Natasha Romanoff wondered aloud.

"Maybe she can't enter that dimension?" Tony speculated. "If that's the case, Strange is as good as dead."

Back in the pocket dimension, Strange was barely holding on. The space was completely submerged in black water, and his shield was visibly corroding. Sweat poured down his face as he struggled to maintain the barrier.

"Strange," the Ancient One's voice echoed in his mind.

"Master, if you don't do something soon, I'm going to die here!" Strange panted, his exhaustion evident.

"I've figured out a way to reach your location, but if I intervene, you won't get the reward," the Ancient One replied.

"What?! Reward? You're telling me there's a reward for this?!"

"It's very important."

Strange didn't understand the Ancient One's reasoning. Sure, he wanted a reward, but not at the cost of his life.

"Master, just take it! I can't beat this guy!"

"Which is why I'm helping you. I'll channel Kamar-Taj's energy through myself to you. Follow my instructions carefully," the Ancient One explained.

Though surprised by the plan's audacity, Strange decided to gamble on it.

Suddenly, he felt an overwhelming surge of power coursing through his body as Kamar-Taj's energy was channeled into him. His body seemed to expand with the sheer volume of energy.

"Let's do this!" Strange formed a series of hand signs, his magic circles glowing with an intense golden hue.

The Shield of Seraphim expanded dramatically, forcing the black water away.

With his hands rotating rapidly, Strange constructed a new magical circle. Golden patterns emerged, forming intricate and mystical runes that looked like a work of art.

All the while, the shield continued corroding under the relentless assault of the black water. Strange knew he was racing against time to complete the Ancient One's plan.

Finally, Strange completed the spell and slammed the magical circle onto the black water below.

To his astonishment, the corrosive liquid transformed into thousands of luminous blue butterflies. In the dark, decaying dimension, the sight of the vibrant butterflies brought a sense of life and beauty.

"What?!"

The Terrifying Elder froze in shock as his summoned black water was turned into harmless butterflies.

Seizing the opportunity, Strange conjured a magical sword and opened a portal—not to escape the dimension, but to move within it. The portal brought him directly behind the elder.

With a swift motion, Strange drove the sword through the elder's back.

"Ahhhhhh!"

The elder's scream echoed as he grabbed at the sword, trying to corrode it with his touch, but found it resistant to his powers. Worse, the blade seemed to inflict unbearable pain.

(End of Chapter)

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