...Time to bargain?

(Going forwards I will be attempting to do my best in getting new chapters out when I can. My medical issues have both flared up while others have calmed down. My apologies for how long this has taken too come out.)

Meeting with Strange was what I did next, it helped that he created a portal for me to come through. I created the max number of clones and had them continue training, continue practicing with magic as I go to speak with Strange. The conversation started out simple enough, with Strange explaining about who and what Dormammu is. Which promptly scared the holy HELL out of me, leaving me thinking about how there was no WAY I was ready to take on a threat like that.

"Okay strange... So how do we get Magik back? How do we free her from such an entity?" I asked, hoping that he had some sort of plan. What I wasn't expecting was for him to smile at me and simply say to follow his lead when we got there. "I'm sorry when we get WHERE?" I asked as calmly as I could.

I had to follow Strange, who led me through the Sanctum. Listening to the Doctor talk about how he would need to prepare a portal, saying that he had a plan and I wouldn't even need to say anything for us to get Magik back. It seemed like I was just going to have to follow his lead after all, as he wasn't explaining anything more to me about this plan of his...

2 Hours Later

Here I was... standing in the Dark Dimension... Jaw dropped as I stared at Strange trying to wrap my head around what I'd just heard... The good Doctor had just suggested to DORMAMMU a wager... That Dormammu must first return Illyana to us unharmed or unchanged, and if Dormammu can win the wager, then Strange will OPEN THE THE WAY and HELP Dormammu get to our universe... "Strange what the HELL is wrong with you?!" I whisper yelled at him, looking at the mystic as though he'd finally lost the last bit of sanity he had left. His response of "Trust me." Did absolutely FUCKING NOTHING TO REASSURE ME!

Strange's wager against Dormammu, that the entity could NOT resist against a power of mine for an entire week. I froze as I mentally messaged Strange asking what ability of mine he could possibly think would affect Dormammu. His response? Telling me to use my Mental Invasion on Dormammu to make it an ally through the mental messaging system. 'There's no WAY that'll work on something this powerful right?' I thought to myself, not realizing until Illyana was basically dropped into my arms, that Dormammu had accepted. The fireball in the stars apparently thought there was NOTHING I could do to it, and I was pretty sure it was right... Guess I'm gonna find out the hard way though...

First difficulty? Getting Illyana to stop swearing long enough for me to focus on using that ability on Dormammu. That took a minute... When the beautiful blonde was calm enough that I could focus, I began slowly attempting to send out my Mental Invasion on Dormammu. I chose the Ally option, watching Dormammu not seem to experience or go through any changes what so ever. Strange asked if I'd used it on Dormammu yet, I replied with 'Yeah, I tried it...' and upon getting that message in return, Strange proceeded to grab me and Illyana, pulling us towards the portal back home. Dormammu laughing at us.

"Strange, you fool! Whatever the boy tried, has clearly failed! I'll see you soon Strange! I expect you to hold up your end of the bargain!" Dormammu called out at Strange, laughing as the portal closed behind us...

10 Minutes later, after explaining to Illyana what Strange's plan was...

"What the FUCK were you thinking?! You made a WAGER with DORMAMMU?!" Illyana practically ROARED at Strange, furious with him for his idea of a plan... Her hand seemed to be reached towards her sword handle, but it was twitching, like she was struggling to stop herself from drawing her blade and trying to cleave the Doctor in two. I stepped back and just watched the show at this point, still trying to get over the ridiculously reckless plan Strange had come up with. I didn't think for a second the plan would work and already couldn't help thinking about how Strange would end up having to work for Dormammu and help open the way for the entity to arrive into our dimension. I saw Wong shaking his head as he looked at strange, slowly walking away. I assume to make preparations to entrap Strange should he really end up trying to do something to help what I'm pretty sure was an interdimensional demon. From there I walk more towards the portal back to the mansion, not seeing how Mordo steps in and starts talking to Illyana as I head back home.

I arrive back to see Laura and Kali seeming to have made some progress, though Kali made it clear that Laura still had a lot more practice to get through before she'd be able to have good control over her tail. Beast had created something to help her not worry about her tail in her sleep, some device that would help to lock her around her body like a belt or bandolier I think? I didn't hear much of the details but Laura intended to try it tonight, sleeping on her own to make sure her tail didn't accidentally stab anyone or something similar.

The day ended mercifully easily after that, the rest of the night thankfully not an issue. Though there's no telling when the next mission will come up...