The Black Lion - The start of something new. (Patreon)

Wanda Maximoff, Ravencroft Institute – New York.

The powerful mutant looked at the clear skies with interest. The immense swarm of killer robots had been totally decimated and, although her annoying and arrogant father had participated in that, Wanda knew perfectly well that Harrison had been the one who really killed the vast majority of them.

Wanda's calm was interrupted by a kind of rectangular emerald-colored portal, which appeared out of the fucking nothingness on one side of her, exalting her.

The brunette watched in amazement as three beautiful women emerged from the doorway.

Three blondes, all three with beautiful blue eyes, and yet totally different from each other.

The one in the center, evidently the leader of the group, was dressed in a tight white dress that bordered on the scandalous, showing her generous curves, adorned with a large amount of jewelry. Her gaze was cold and calculating, and her lipstick blue.

She was beautiful, seductive, and utterly lethal, like a fucking Goddess in the flesh.

And because of the arrogance she exuded, she knew it perfectly.

The second blonde was totally different, beautiful of course, but not with the sensuality and seduction of the first. She wore an elegant and long blue dress.

"Well, this place is a rubble, apparently pretty shady things have been going on at Ravencroft and our beloved wants us to investigate."

The first blonde, the one who talks sighed angrily and walked with her characteristic elegance towards the still buried soldiers.

"I'll find the dirty secrets of this place, while you two finds the new acquisition of my beloved lion. I'm really curious to see what kind of lioness he has added to the collection," said the first blonde.

"It's not necessary, she's here," said the third of the beautiful women. This one, unlike the rest, was dressed in body pants and a jacket of the same color; a white crop top covered her body, leaving a toned and enviable abdomen in sight.

At those words, the three of them looked directly at Wanda, who froze for an instant, not knowing how she should react, to be honest.

"You must be Wanda! I'm Susan. They're Ilyana and Emma. Harrison sent us to take you to a safe place," said the friendliest of the three.

Wanda just opened and closed her mouth, but nodded softly, like a fucking injured animal.

Weak and pathetic, as she had been all her life, the mutant thought with self-loathing.

"Now I understand what Harrison said. She is a powerful mutant, but on top of that her magical potential is impressive, almost on par with Stephen. I am Ilyana, by the way, one of your future mentors," said the rough blonde with a warm smile that contrasted with her rough appearance.

Wanda smiled softly and replied.

"I... I'm Wanda, Wanda Maximoff. I was locked up in this disgusting place," she said with a frown, while looking at the walls of the enclosure with contempt.

"To call it disgusting is really an understatement darling. This place is disgusting. I've already found everything. I'm sure someone will have a picnic in this place," said who could only be Emma, as she walked elegantly towards the rest of the women.

Wanda looked at her in surprise and couldn't help but ask.

"What? But... you didn't go in. I didn't see you come in or interrogate anyone!" said the brunette curiously, getting an enigmatic and amused smile from the blonde as a response.

"Oh darling, you have no idea."

The arrogant and sophisticated tone made Wanda frown, but the beautiful blonde did not seem interested in Wanda. All her attention was on her own wrist, where a kind of device began to project blue holograms, similar to diamonds.

"What is that?" asked Wanda with total surprise, not knowing the device on the blonde's wrist.

"It's an Omni-Tool darling, a kind of laptop and a cellphone together" Susan said with a smile.

Emma finished playing with the holograms and the image of a beautiful and impressive redhead appeared.

"Everything in order? I'm coordinating the capture of an extremely dangerous subject near the Evans Tower. Harrison is not holding back. Jean is there doing damage control and helping Sai," said the stunning woman.

"We have problems at Ravencroft, Nat."

At those words, the redhead frowned and asked.

"Problems? What kind of problems, Emma?"

"The kind that requires the attention of our favorite pirate."

Those words had to be some kind of code, as the beautiful redhead nodded calmly.

"I understand. I'll have someone sent, don't worry. The city is a mess. The drones are recovering as many robots as possible, but we won't be able to recover them all. We're trying to track the origin of these things. Hermione says she's about to get it."

"That's my girl. I'll make sure to buy those rare minerals that she requested for her project. A threat to mutants is something that must be exterminated quickly and decisively."

"We are in touch. Nat out."

And with that, the call ended, leaving Wanda confused.

"Ilyana, dear, Sue and I will stay here. There are very murky things in this place. I will make sure that nothing is hidden. Also, this island would be the perfect place for a second tower. What do you think of a White Diamond Tower to contrast from the Black Rock of my dear Harrison?" asked the seductive woman with interest, to Wanda's disbelief.

"Come on, Wanda. It's time to meet with Harrison and your new mentor."

Wanda simply nodded and walked behind the blonde, who had begun to make circular movements with her hand, causing a kind of orange ring to appear in front of where they were.

"What is that?" Wanda asked with amazement and some suspicion.

"It's a magical portal. It will take us to the Sanctum Sanctorum. Let's go," said the blonde as she calmly crossed it.

Wanda took one last look at the island, watching as the two blondes walked towards the prison and some kind of futuristic plane landed.

And without thinking twice, Wanda crossed the magic threshold, into a new future.

Towards a glorious destiny.

Stephen Strange, Sanctum Sanctorum – New York

"Mr. Evans' arcane talent is simply impressive," Wong said with obvious respect as he and Stephen looked through the clairvoyant spell they were using to spy on Harrison's fight with the villain Cain Marko.

"It is, but I'm sure Marko won't have a great memory of this day," Stephen said, wincing as he watched Harrison lift the impressive man with a spell unknown to Stephen, while also creating four mystical portals, one at each limb of the huge man.

The intention was more than clear and a second later, the four portals closed at the same time.

However...

"Impossible..." Wong whispered, observing how the portals found it difficult to close on the skin of the imposing colossus.

"Interesting," Stephen said, at the same time that Ilyana and a young woman with brown hair arrived at the place.

"Stephen, this is the young woman Harry spoke of," said the beautiful Russian mutant as she walked to the center of the table, where the spell projected Harrison's struggle.

The towering colossus laughed, mocking the Black Lion, something that Stephen knew would end badly.

Harrison frowned, at the same time as a flaming aura manifested around his body and his emerald eyes transformed into two suns. His magic roared with such power that Stephen couldn't help but shudder just to feel it, even if he was several blocks away.

The portals on Marko's limbs fanned a voracious flaming aura, which slowly began to burn the seemingly not-so-impenetrable skin of the infamous Juggernaut.

"That aura again. Its power is overwhelming," Ilyana said with a frown, as she took a seat and crossed one leg over the other, concentrating entirely on the spell.

"He is, but I trust Harrison. He doesn't need that colossal magical power to dominate the world if he wants to; after all, his company is more than enough for that." Stephen said, as he stood up and walked towards Wanda.

"Welcome, Miss Maximoff, to the Sanctum Sanctorum."

Stephen smiled softly as he saw the young woman's look of amazement, who only opened and closed her mouth without saying a word, overwhelmed by the impressive place where she stood.

"Are Harrison's friends?" Wanda asked cautiously, feeling strangely vulnerable.

Stephen nodded calmly, though Ilyana snorted softly with a smile.

"Oh, I want to believe that we are more than friends, my King and I, but you will understand in due time. Now we will talk about you and your education," said Ilyana as she stood up and the spell ended.

"My education? What kind of education?" Wanda asked curiously.

"Your magical education, of course."

After those words, Stephen began to move his hands, causing a large number of books and scrolls to begin flying towards the center table.

Stephen smiled softly as he saw the face of wonder and amazement on the young woman's face before continuing to speak.

"You will live in the Sanctum until you are able to control your abilities. Ilyana will teach you the basic techniques of meditation, while with me you will study the fundamental bases of magic, and little by little we will increase the difficulty," Stephen said, pleased to see the beautiful young woman fully concentrated.

The explanation was interrupted by the appearance of an Evans portal, as Stephen called Harrison's creations.

And speaking of the devil.

"Sorry, a jerk tried to attack Evans Tower. I had to take care of him. While we talk, Rogue is leaving him totally dry. Plus, I brought this, Stephen. I think you'll be interested."

Harrison's words filled him with curiosity, and Stephen focused entirely on the curious and powerful jewel that shone in his hand, levitating softly, encased in a gold-colored arcane shield.

"What is that?" he asked, as he began to make various gestures around it, analyzing every detail.

"I don't know, but it was linked to Marko. A powerful entity used him as a point of connection. However, as soon as I broke the bond, the coward escaped. Can I entrust you with its custody?" Harrison asked.

Stephen nodded and took control of the shield as he began to conjure a containment barrier.

The magic that the object emanated was powerful and seductive, similar to the energy of the Dark Dimension.

He would talk to Clea about the jewel afterward.

"How do you feel, Wanda?" Harrison asked, as he walked towards the young brunette, who looked at him with emotion.

"This is just amazing! This place is full of magic! Will I really be able to create things this wonderful?" she asked, focusing her gaze entirely on Harrison.

The black lion nodded softly with a small smile.

"Yes, but it will be a hard road. You are powerful, but you lack the necessary control, putting not only you but everyone around you at risk. Can I trust you to strive and do the right thing?" Harrison asked calmly, staring at the brunette.

To Strange's amusement, the young woman nodded quickly, evidently eager to please the black lion.

"Yes, I promise. I'm not going to disappoint you," she said with determination.

"Excellent!" Harrison said, caressing the young woman's face. She blushed completely, remaining totally mute, but pleased with the physical contact.

A second later, Harrison walked to the table and took a seat, an act imitated by the rest.

"Well, tonight's attack will have consequences and we must be prepared. Ready for the meeting?" he asked.

And they all nodded.

They had a lot to do.

Jake Sully, the Black Rock, two weeks after the attack.

"Welcome to the New Dawn program, please state your name," said the mechanical and shrill voice.

"Jake Sully," he said nonchalantly, sitting in the damn chair he'd been confined to since the fucking incident.

"Jake Sully, ex-Marine, Special Forces, wounded in combat and honorably discharged, recommended by the lion Rogers himself as an ideal candidate for the New Dawn project. Are you interested?" asked the mechanical voice.

Jake frowned, drowning out the urge to respond sarcastically.

"Yes, I'm interested," he said, drowning out his real answer.

"Perfect. Entering your data in the list. Shortly, an Evans Technologies staff member will come to escort you to the Information Room," and with those words, the drone flew away, leaving Jake alone and confused.

Seconds later, a young man entered the room. He was good-looking, wearing a white robe and checking several things on the curious device on his wrist.

"Corporal Jake Sully, candidate of the New Dawn project. My name is Peter Parker. I will be your escort to the boardroom. Shall we go?" said the young man, and Jake was grateful that he didn't offer to bring his chair or some stupid thing like that.

"That was quick. I expected weeks or months of bureaucracy, to be honest," said the former soldier as he began to move his chair to where Peter was, following him through the technological and clean corridors of the Rock, as it was known in the city.

"Mr. Evans values efficiency. The project is very important. Something historic, to be honest," said the young man, at the same time that the device on his wrist began to ring, as if he were receiving some message.

"Answer if you want, boy. I don't have a problem," Jake said, seeing that the young man hesitated.

"It's my boss asking for you. You're the last of the volunteers. We've arrived," said the young man, as they reached a huge conference room.

Inside, there were at least five hundred people, all in states similar to him. All were military and all were suffering terrible consequences from their service. Many had no arms, some had no legs, some were even in the same condition as him, totally paraplegic.

They all had the same thing in common: soldiers, trained, and totally abandoned and forgotten by their governments.

So far, it seemed.

In an instant, a beautiful woman walked to the stage, dressed just like the young man who escorted Jake, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Her mere presence emitted elegance and power in equal parts.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you are all welcome. We are gathered here because you accepted the invitation of Evans Technologies to be part of the New Dawn project," said the beautiful woman, while a projection appeared in the center of the imposing room, showing something that Jake knew would impact the world.

"Fuck," he whispered in a daze, as he watched Steve "the Lion" Rogers walk onto the stage.

With a totally different appearance, the former war hero was at least two meters tall, with a young and athletic body, no more than thirty years old, but easily recognizable by everyone present.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you are ready for the beginning of the rest of your lives," said the now young war hero, with a huge smile, while behind him Jake was dumbfounded at what he read.

"Pandora Expedition," he whispered to himself, shuddering for some reason.

Poor Jake. He didn't know that soon his life would change in ways never seen before.

Forever.