Kade lounged in a chair by the big bay window, scrolling through his phone with a soda on the table beside him. Just as he'd gotten comfortable, he felt that strange, all-too-familiar hum—the subtle, unmistakable ripple of mystical energy. He sighed, not bothering to look up.
A flicker of red, a swirl of blue, and there he was: Doctor Strange, standing in the center of the living room as if he'd been there all along. Cloak calm, expression unreadable, Strange surveyed the room with a cool, assessing gaze.
"Doctor Strange," Kade greeted dryly, eyes still on his phone. "Doing a portal inspection in my living room, or...?"
"Not today," Strange replied smoothly, his tone as calm as if they were old acquaintances.
Kade finally glanced up, giving a half-hearted wave. "Alright then. Make yourself at home," he said, gesturing with mock grandiosity. "My parents will be back soon. They'd probably love to meet the guy who magically appeared in our living room."
Strange's lips tugged into the faintest hint of a smile as he scanned the room, taking in the decor. "I believe I've already met them," he replied. "Quite the Lords, they seem."
Kade squinted in faint confusion. "My parents are archaeologists—Kent and Inza Fate. If you're the Sorcerer Supreme, I'd think you'd have heard of them."
"Oh, I have," Strange said, fingers already tracing the contours of a nearby artifact. "They do seem to have a particular fascination with a certain… Doctor Fate."
Kade shrugged, gesturing for Strange to sit across from him on the couch. "It's all they seem to think about. They're actually flying back from Egypt after hearing about Doctor Fate's latest sightings here in New York. I actually got some photos of him earlier—I'm sure they'll love those."
Strange's gaze lingered on Kade, studying him closely. "You're a strange kid, Kade," he began. "Most people freak out when I show up talking portals and demonic threats. But you… you just let me in and didn't even check when I was leaving."
Kade rolled his eyes, half-amused. "Maybe I was just made that way."
Strange took a more serious posture, fixing Kade with an intense look. "Tell me something, Kade..."
"Do you believe in magic?"
Kade snorted, setting down his phone and giving Strange a long, silent stare.
Strange pressed, his tone steady. "It's one thing to know of magic, and another to believe in it. Where do you stand?"
Kade shrugged, a faint smirk crossing his face. "What does it matter what I think? I'm just a regular kid."
"Maybe so," Strange replied, his gaze sharpening. "But you've had two visits from the Sorcerer Supreme in less than a week. That should count for something, don't you think?"
Kade raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying I have magic?"
Strange chuckled lightly. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves though. But I do believe you have a unique connection to the mystical world."
"So, you want me to be your apprentice or something?" Kade raised an eyebrow.
"Not exactly," Strange replied, his tone even. "I'm only here to extend my services as Sorcerer Supreme."
With a flick of his fingers, a card materialized, hovering in the air before floating into Kade's hand. On it was a simple address: **177A Bleecker Street**, Greenwich Village, New York City.
"In case you need my assistance," Strange explained, "or if you experience symptoms like memory gaps, strange visions, or fatigue you can't quite place, you'll find me there. The doors of the New York Sanctum are always open."
Kade looked at him, half-skeptical. "You don't think I'm possessed or something, right? Those symptoms sound pretty specific."
"Have you experienced any of them?" Strange asked, watching him carefully.
Kade shook his head, though his expression suggested he was considering it.
"Then you've got nothing to worry about," Strange assured him, standing up to leave. "But keep it in mind. The Sanctum is always open to those in need."
The New York Sanctum Sanctorum was one of Earth's three Nexus points, teeming with mystical energy and serving as a shield against arcane threats. Its protector, Doctor Strange, watched over it diligently—Sorcerer Supreme or not. After his meeting with Kade, he returned to the Sanctum, back to his relentless search for Doctor Fate and the elusive Tower of Fate. Oddly, he still couldn't track the Tower's location, even after visiting Kade's house. It was as if it had vanished from every map, despite the powerful magical presence it once held.
As he settled into the Sanctum's archives, he was met by Wong, his friend and fellow mystic, who was adept in both magic and martial arts.
"What did you think of the kid?" Wong asked as Strange settled in among his relics and books.
Strange looked up thoughtfully. "He's unbothered. Too relaxed. And I still can't detect even a trace of magic coming from him or his house. Either he's keeping a very big secret, or…"
Strange paused, his gaze settling on a page showing an illustration of the Living Tribunal's whip.
"Or maybe he's getting power from somewhere without realizing it," he murmured to himself.
"Well, speaking of kids…" Wong began, but he was interrupted by a voice from the corner.
"Hey, Doc! Long time no see," said the familiar voice, breezing in with a casual wave.
"Spider-Man," Doctor Strange acknowledged, glancing up to see Spider-Man striding in, his demeanor as laid-back as ever.
Wong smirked, raising an eyebrow as he excused himself, "There's one for you now."
Spider-Man shrugged, a friendly grin beneath his mask. "Missed you earlier when that interdimensional worm decided to go sightseeing in the city. Quite a welcome party."
Strange nodded. "I was handling other business—TVA matters. I'm sorry I couldn't help, but it seems you managed."
Spider-Man scratched his head, trying to seem modest. "Well... I did alright. But then Doctor Fate showed up and, uh, 'disinfected' the city. Intense guy."
Strange raised a brow. "I'd imagine. So, what brings you by the neighborhood?"
"Actually, I had a question," Spider-Man began, glancing around at the artifacts and books. "Something magic-related."
"Thinking of dabbling in the mystic arts?" Strange teased, though his tone was playful.
Spider-Man chuckled, shaking his head. "Nah, I'm a science guy. But I was curious—hypothetically, is there a spell where someone can exist as two different people at the same time?"
Without missing a beat, Strange conjured the images of Ikonn, replicating himself sixfold in an instant. "Like this?"
Spider-Man cocked his head, clearly impressed. "Uh, could they wear different clothes?"
With a flick of his hand, Strange's duplicates changed outfits, each one distinct. "It's all possible with magic," he said, though he eyed Spider-Man with mild curiosity. "So, what's this really about?"
"Nothing, just curious," Spider-Man said quickly, though Strange could sense there was more to it. But he let it slide.
"If you need help, you know where to find me," Strange replied, returning to his book as Spider-Man prepared to leave.
"Thanks, Doc," Spider-Man called over his shoulder, web-swinging out of the Sanctum with a wave.
He swung through the city, memories of Kade's rescue by Doctor Fate replaying in his mind. Why it mattered, he wasn't entirely sure anymore, but his spider-sense had rarely led him astray.
Lost in thought, Peter found himself near Kade's neighborhood, that same, subtle tingle urging him on. He hesitated, glancing down at the rows of houses. *Maybe just one quick look.*
He swung low through the quiet suburb. Fate Mansion loomed at the end of a cul-de-sac, grand but unassuming. Landing on a nearby tree branch, Peter peered through a window to see Kade illuminated by the warm glow of a living room. Inside, Kade greeted his parents—a middle-aged couple with graying hair and soft smiles. They laughed, embracing as if they hadn't seen each other in years. Kade's grin was wide, unburdened, like any other kid his age.
For a moment, Peter felt himself smile too. *They look happy. Normal. That can't be a coincidence,* he thought, wrestling with the possibility that Doctor Fate might be Kade's protector. *But why would a kid with a family like that even be tied to someone as powerful as Fate?*
As he watched, the curtains closed, leaving Peter alone with his thoughts. He waited a few more minutes, but there was nothing—no flicker of a magical aura, no strange symbols on the mansion's exterior. Nothing but suburban calm.
Peter sighed, still skeptical. *There's no way my spider-sense is wrong.* He fired a web and swung off into the night, his mind racing. He'd puzzle it out eventually, but for now, he knew Aunt May would've noticed he was missing.