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THIRTY | NO PLACE LIKE HOME
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"I DON'T GET it." were the first words that Cassandra Mason blurted out when the genius philanthropist elaborated his whole idea. "So, you mean we are travelling to another universe? Is that correct? Because if that is what you mean, I'm telling you now, we cannot disrupt the multiverse. The masters of the mystic arts will have our heads if we do that."
The two of them were on their way to the Avengers Compound with Tony driving and explaining to her his discovery. A few hours had passed ever since he initially told her about it, hesitating whether to go through with it or bury the model he built under the bottom of a lake. Respectfully, Cassandra would understand his decision if he wanted out of it since he had a daughter he had to be with. Even she herself would think twice about the decision if ever her family was around. That's why she offered to just bring the mobius strip to Bruce and let him, Paul, and Rocket work on the idea, yet after a fruitful and enlightening conversation with his wife, he reached a decision to join the mission which he insisted calling the time heist.
"No, Morgana, we are going back in time," he claimed, matter-of-factly. "in our own timeline to borrow the stones."
"But, it will affect the future." she pointed out, furrowing her eyebrows.
"No, no, it won't. Look, the time travel science you've watched in Back to the Future is bullshit. Forget everything you think you know about time travel, alright?"
Cassandra clicked her tongue then scratched her eyebrow. That was what she and Karl say to all the novices about magic. That they should forget everything they think they know about how the world works. Now, she may be well-versed with magic, but science and quantum physics will take quite a bit of time for her to understand. Her hand flew absentmindedly to the engagement ring she sported in her left middle finger, remembering the times Stephen would leave her completely flabbergasted with the big science words he would use whenever they would discuss concepts of magic and the whole cosmos. She will leave this part to the brilliant scientists for now. All that mattered for now was that they had a chance to get everyone back and they weren't going to let that go to waste. Though there was a possibility their whole time heist, as Stark called it earlier, would fail, it was better to try than ponder the what ifs for the rest of their lives.
"Alright, alright, got it. I'm just going to let you guys talk about it. My expertise is mystic arts anyway, not science. So as long as we are not interfering with another universe and dooming that reality, we're good." explained the woman, crossing her arms as they turned a corner. "We know frighteningly little about the multiverse. It's best if we leave it like that."
"You know, you're giving me an idea of finding a way to explore the multiverse after this." claimed Tony, glancing at her. "I mean, listen, I know out there, I am still Iron Man, but like what else do I do there? Is he better than me? Am I the best Tony Stark out there?"
"Well - " Cassandra was about to retort when she caught sight of Steve stepping outside the doors of the Avengers Compound, despondent. He looked beat, as if the only possibility of victory was now not an opportunity. As soon as Tony sped up towards the entrance, he lifted his gaze and watched as the driver of the car pulled over but went a bit too far and reversed. Stark rolled down his car window, greeting the man out of time.
"Why the long face? Let me guess: he turned into a baby." asserted Tony, straightforwardly. A small smirk painted his lips as Cassandra knew he proved himself to be right again. He also informed her about Scott Lang's escape from the Quantum Realm which surprised her as it was one of the dimensions that had only little information. A microscopic universe. A reality where all concepts of time and space become irrelevant as the one who enters it shrinks for all eternity. It was one of the realms she wished to explore, yet the Ancient One advised her not to do so as it was an unstable dimension and one may get lost and disoriented due to its nature.
"Among other things, yeah. What are you doing here?"
Shrugging, the genius billionaire climbed out of the car, and walked around to the back. Cassandra followed suit, acknowledging the captain with a nod and a small hello. "That's the EPR Paradox. Instead of pushing Lang through time, you might've wound up pushing time through Lang. It's tricky. Dangerous. Somebody should've cautioned you against it."
Steve tilted his head, "You did."
Tony acted coy, smirking. There was the Stark everyone knew. "Oh, did I? Thank God I'm here. Regardless, I fixed it." He held up his right hand, with a device on it. "A fully functioning Time-Space GPS. I just want peace." He made a peace sign with his fingers, smiling. "Turns out, resentment is corrosive, and I hate it."
"Me too."
"We got a shot at getting these stones, but I gotta tell you my priorities: Bring back what we lost? I hope so, yes.." He put his hands together like how someone would pray. Cassandra knew he was really scared deep down behind his façade. "Keep what I got? I have to, at all costs. And... maybe not die trying will be nice."
The woman reacted, a tad bit horrified at what her friend said. Tony and Paul had been her rocks when she was at the lowest point of her life and to hear him say something like that even if it was a joke irked her. She slapped his chest. "Hey, don't say that. You won't die, okay?"
Tony glanced at her, giving her a knowing look. "I'm just setting the priorities straight, planner, alright?"
"Sounds like a deal." Steve reached out his hand to shake in the deal, in which Tony replied in the same way. It was then that the engineer reached back into his trunk to pull something else out, Captain America's shield. The colors blue and red that resembled the flag of the United States popping out like it was cleaned and taken care of. Cassandra observed Tony passed it to Steve, who hesitated.
The news of the Avengers splitting up reached Kamar-Taj years ago and she and Wong had a discussion about the Sokovia Accords. While both of them agreed that heroes must be monitored and regulated in order to be stopped if they suddenly went rogue, they also thought the government should not have full control of the enhanced individuals and publicizing their identities. Since those who signed must carry out the actions that a government group assigns to them, they think it puts the power of the superheroes in the hands of just a few. There will always be times where heroes have to make in-battle decisions and they won't be able to do that if they need to wait for the votes of those individuals.
This was precisely why the Ancient One advised the masters of the mystic arts to hide in the shadows and only acted when it was necessary, making sure that their fights would not cause any collateral damage and if it was really unavoidable, the damages would be minimal. Other than that, Cassandra also didn't trust the government a little bit since they fired missiles enough to decimate the entire city of New York during the Chitauri Invasion in 2012. They would have let the citizens die. Thankfully, Tony was quick on his feet to think of using the nukes to bomb the mothership in space.
There will always be threats that probably only the Avengers or the masters of the mystic arts would know of or find important that the governments could prohibit action against, instead telling them to stay put or focus attention elsewhere. Them being told where to go and where not to go would ultimately cause more damage than avoid it, in her opinion. But, in the end, Cassandra knew she would sign the Accords then ignore Ross and the panel, just like how Tony and Rhodes would always do.
"Tony..."
"Why? He made it for you." He shrugged, referring to his father, Howard Stark. "Plus, honestly I have to get it out of the garage before Morgan takes it sledding."
Cassandra flinched, remembering the time her goddaughter played with the Sling Ring she stole five years ago from an apprentice, thinking of a uniquely designed toy truck. Thankfully, she wasn't able to open a portal to some other dimension or Pepper would've had a fit. There was even a time when Morgan snatched her beige robes and imitated Rey of Jakku from Star Wars. That child had a habit of playing with weapons and hero costumes and giving everyone heart attacks. "Trust me, cap, you don't want my goddaughter getting a hold of that."
Steve chuckled, accepting the shield and fitting it into his arm like he always does in battle. "Thank you, Tony."
Stark drew in a little closer. "Will you keep that a little quiet? Didn't bring one for the whole team." He hesitated. "We are getting the whole team, yeah?"
"We're working on that right now."
Exactly at that moment, a strong gust of wind blew against them, causing Cassandra's hair to billow behind her. A loud, whirring noise filled the air and she immediately knew it was a helicopter that was landing near them. Squinting her eyes, she attempted to see who had just emerged from the aircraft. It was Paul Vernon, wearing what was certainly an expensive suit, basing on the sleeves joined on his blazer that looked smooth, creaseless, and fairly fitted to his body. With all the money this man had, it was obvious he was going to have extravagant taste in fashion.
"What's up, losers?" said the man as he removed his sunglasses, towering all of them. Even Steve and Tony, especially Cassandra, had to crane their necks up to meet his eyes.
"Paul Vernon, you are slowly becoming my rival in making entrances."
"Well, Stark, that was actually the plan." quipped Paul, smirking. Cassandra chuckled, finding his confidence amusing. "Hello there, Cass. You look amazing, as always." He reached out to her and fondly pecked her cheek. "Anyways, I just recently picked up Vesper and Alona. Dropped them both off the nearest town since Lons wanted to buy us all some taco and pizza. Rhodes said he'll be here in a few minutes as well as Rocket and Nebula."
Tony clapped his hands together. "Well, then, let's get this show on the road."
Not even a few minutes later, the Benatar spacecraft landed in the yard of the Avenger's Compound, just a couple of meters away from Paul's chopper. Cassandra, munching on her third slice of Pepperoni pizza, went outside to watch the wide firmament. She caught sight of Scott having a Taco and some Nachos at a bench, and everything fell out of the taco as the Benatar landed. Nebula and Rocket walk out of the ship, and past the man who she learned was named Scott. He was the one who proposed the idea of going back in time to undo what Thanos had done. She also spotted her long light-haired friend and the queen amble towards her, smiles reaching up to their eyes as they took a bite off of their tacos.
"Hey, humie! Where's Big Green?" questioned the animal.
"Uh, Kitchen, I think." He replied then mumbled as he saw Nebula, "That's awesome."
The two nodded and walked away. Into an earpiece, the blue-skinned cyborg, said, "Rhodey, careful on re-entry. There's an idiot in the landing zone."
"Nebula,"
"Cassandra," greeted the other female just as the former sorceress fist bumped with her. "You look a lot... healthier than the last time I saw you."
The former Guardian only let out a small laugh. "I missed you too, Nebula."
"Candies, anyone?" offered Alona as soon as she and Vesper reached Cassandra's side.
"I will take one, water queen." Rocket picked up a piece of candy from the royalty's hand and entered the building with Nebula in tow.
Just then, Vesper wrapped her arms around Cassandra, holding her tightly against her. "How have you been, Cass? And oh, how's the boyfriend?"
"Good, yeah. Arthur and I are good, as well."
"You know what, I always wondered if he was some sort of rebound. I mean, he's like your ex, just with a different face. I heard he took you to the restaurant you and Stephen went to for your first date."
The former Guardian blinked, furrowing her eyebrows. "Where did you hear that..." she started then realized from whom she got the news. "Tony..." Frowning, she continued, "I'm going to strangle him. Look, Ves, he's not my rebound guy, okay? I love him."
"Weh? 'Di nga?" reacted the blonde, smirking as she did a quick high-five with Alona. Really? Are you sure? "Sorry, I just recently learned that from Lons here. She's been teaching me some Filipino slang and expressions. I'm pretty sure that's what Alona thinks too, right, Lon?" She nudged her friend. "Support me here, buddy."
The royalty twiddled her thumbs, biting her lip, before saying, "I'm not the only one who thought about it. Paul was actually the first one who noticed and he told us and - "
Cassandra slightly rolled her eyes though she also realized that what they were saying was true. She was dating Arthur because he was so similar to Stephen. She was convincing herself that he wasn't and she loved who he was when she was lying. But, she wouldn't admit that. "Listen, Arthur and I are doing well."
"Well, you two won't be doing well anymore when Stephen is back."
That struck right through her heart. She was here after all to get him and the twins back. To get her family back. Will she leave Arthur to be with Stephen? The answer? Yes. Her stomach dropped a little after that because she had been so unfair to him. He had given her his heart in his hands and she was going to crush it. "You know what, just forget about this and you two get inside. Natasha's waiting for you two."
The two friends shrugged and followed her suggestion. Cassandra pinched her nose as she tossed the tissue paper she used for her pizza. A moment later, just as Scott was about to take another bite off of his taco, a dark armored suit landed right in front of him without warning. This time, the poor man was so surprised that he dropped the whole taco.
"Oh, God!" exclaimed Scott, clutching his chest.
Rhodey smirked as his helmet opened, "What's up, regular sized man?"
Shaking her head, Cassandra strolled over to Rhodey's direction and slapped his armored shoulder. He only chuckled and continued to venture inside the building, just as Bruce exited the doors. "You okay, bro?" queried the brunette.
"Yeah, yeah." breathed out Scott. "I was just..."
"Hey, it's okay." beamed Cassandra, patting his back. That was when she suddenly had the compelling feeling to get the man some food. Before she could change her mind, she snatched her Sling Ring and raised her arms. She opened a small gateway near the kitchen table, grabbing a plate of nachos. She saw Scott's jaw drop as she pulled out the food. "Here, this is yours."
"Add this to that." Bruce, towering over her, handed two tacos from his own lunch to Scott. The man took all of what they gave while giving them a puzzling look.
"Yeah, uh, thanks...? Wait a second, you..." Scott pointed his finger to Cassandra. "can open portals? Is that - is that your superpower?"
"My ability to create portals comes from my practice of harnessing various forms of mystical energy, Scott."
"Mystical energy? Like, magic?"
"Yes."
"So, you are a witch?"
This time, Bruce said, "She prefers the term sorceress or master of the mystic arts."
Cassandra beamed, giving the huge green guy a small fist bump. All throughout the time she started to slowly return to civilization, she kept in contact with Bruce and they became instant friends, sharing their bond with his curiosity over her dark magic.
"Oh, that's cool! Awesome!" giddily enunciated the man. "Hey, you guys, thank you again for this."
Cassandra shook her head. "No, Scott. Thank you. If you didn't pitch your idea to Steve and Tony, our lives would have gone on without knowing that there was a way to bring everyone back." Her lips curled into a soft smile. She was so grateful for Scott because they now figured out how to undo everything Thanos had done. Stephen, the twins, her mother, every single one that Thanos killed will be brought back.
"She's right." agreed Bruce. "Everyone's getting their loved ones back because of you, buddy."
Scott looked down, as if unsure of what to say. He scratched his head, laying down his food. "Oh, uh, it's nothing. I just wanted to help everyone."
"You're a rockstar, Scott Lang. Don't ever forget that." Cassandra winked.
THERE IS NO place like home.
Cassandra Mason, almost like all those years ago, stood at the temple's entrance, hand entwined with her lover's. His thumb caressed her own thumb, gentle as the breeze blowing through them. The last time she saw Kamar-Taj was before she left for the island. The moment she made the decision to relinquish her duties as both Guardian of the Sorcerer Supreme and a master of the mystic arts. She never thought she would return for not feeling the presence of those who died made it difficult for her to breathe whenever she was inside.
The woman moved her restless eyes to the temple. Just like how it looked when she was still a child, it had huge windows through which light poured in at all times of the year, adorning the air without favor.
In that peaceful moment, when the wind became silent air and it seemed as if the earth halted to take a breath, there was a singing in the temple walls that lifted her spirits. Cassandra found inner calm in those silent words, in the purity of their expression, and recognized that Kamar-Taj will always be her home.
Whatever is lost can be found.
Just like the prodigal son, Cassandra Mason is returning home.
Arthur stood beside her, grasping her hand as if to give her the support she needed. She wasn't going to lie, she was a tad bit scared. What were Wong and other sorcerers going to think of her return? Will the gods reprimand her? Punish her? Will they reject her? Demand her not to step inside Kamar-Taj? So many questions, but there was only one solution. She had to get inside to witness the next events.
"Are you ready?" he asked her, his gaze soft. He had been nothing, but supportive of her all throughout her decision. Actually, when she first told him about her past and her affiliation with magic, she thought he would judge her or even be afraid of her, yet he was only intrigued. He tried to discover more about her by letting her talk. He just listened to her. Why can't she just love him and let Stephen go? Even when he returns?
She shook her head, removing those thoughts from her head. "More than I'll ever be, Arthur. Come on, let me show you my home." Cassandra took a step into the temple when she felt her partner tug her wrist lightly. She glanced at his hold then to his face, concerned.
"What is it?"
"I know."
The sorceress crossed her eyebrows. "What..."
"I know you still love him, Cassie."
Cassandra's breath hitched in her throat.
"I knew you still loved him when you told me everything, but I waited patiently for you, praying that your heart would be mine. But now," he chuckled, looking down. "With the possibility of his return, I know that day will no longer happen and I accept that, wholly. I bear no ill feelings towards you, love." He padded slowly forward, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I want you to be happy, even if that happiness no longer includes me."
"Arthur..."
"God, wow," he brushed his hair back, releasing a big huff of breath. "how do you look at someone you love and tell yourself it's time to walk away?"
Cassandra tenderly placed her hand on his cheek. She never meant to hurt him. She thought she dearly loved him. "I'm so sorry."
He smiled, lifting her hand. For a moment, his lips touched the top of her hand like a wind's caress. "I'm glad I got to spend time with you. It has been the most wonderful year of my life. You gave me forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful. I love you so much, Cassie, and that means I should let you go."
The woman's heart was flooded with regret. She was holding her eyes in such a way that kept the tears inside her lids. She felt grief, fur-lined with fear that as if joy had forever escaped her, that there will be no happily ever after for her. Wrapping her hand around his nape, she pulled him close to her, feeling the warmth of his forehead against her own. Maybe... maybe in another life, she had loved Arthur, but her heart in this universe, unfortunately, will always belong to one Stephen Strange. She mumbled, "I'm so sorry."
"Don't be. We tried. That's what matters." he held her close to him as if cherishing this moment with her. The sun behind them was sinking into the horizon but was still illuminating several clouds in the sky, outlining them with a silver-gold paintbrush. Strokes of pink and orange illuminated his face and it highlighted his warm caramel eyes. Spots of gold even danced in his irises when he smiled. Just like the sunset, their relationship too had reached its end, its definitive conclusion. "Cassie, I will still stay with you even when you no longer need me. I will still be your friend until the end."
She listened.
"I'm not going away yet, if that's okay with you. I want to be with you until the day you and the others gather the stones."
She nodded, just as he leaned in close, their lips brushing together. His lips were soft, almost silken, and pillowy against her own. He tasted bittersweet as she recalled that this was the first part of their goodbye. They were not going to part ways yet, but this was already the beginning of the end. The twilight of their love story was drawing near. Soon as they parted, she brought him inside Kamar-Taj, her home. She didn't know why, but even though they began saying their farewells earlier, she was at peace. Her heart was not broken, a tad bit troubled, yes, but it was okay. She was fine. She just felt guilt and regret because she couldn't devote her whole love to him.
Prior to their arrival to Kamar-Taj, Cassandra visited her father's grave and asked for guidance. Now, she stood before the headstone of her mystical mentor, knees on the ground, asking for the same thing. She apologized for giving up, for thinking she failed. Her fingers traced the engraved words on her teacher's gravestone. "I am here again, Ancient One. I'm sorry for what I did." She professed. "I'm coming home and I'm never leaving again. You can be sure of that."
The past years have molded her into a stronger version of herself, one that would fight for the Sorcerer Supreme until the end. Cassandra Mason swore she would be written in the books as the greatest Guardian of her time, that the next descendants of the title will remember her.
The woman after venturing inside Kamar-Taj had finally reached the training grounds where she caught a glimpse of the new novices and apprentices her longtime friend, Wong, trained. She wondered if he had ascended to the position of Sorcerer Supreme since she left and he was the only master left in Kamar-Taj. "Focus! Visualize, be - " he suddenly paused when he saw her, raising his hand to stop everyone from their training.
Cassandra swallowed, feeling panic rise within her. She glanced at Arthur who stood not far from where she was. He didn't move from his place, only offering a look of encouragement. Turning once again to Wong who held a stoic expression as he climbed up the stairs. Everyone's eyes were on her as if she were a miracle. There was no hate, no resentment visible in their eyes.
"Wong... I - " she started to speak, but he cut her off by embracing her tightly.
"It's okay. I understand." He affirmed, gripping his hands. She could tell that he was overjoyed to see her again, just by the sparkle in his eyes and Cassandra felt herself getting overwhelmed. She didn't know how much she missed him and the people in Kamar-Taj until now. She sniffled quietly, her eyes glistening with tears again.
He smiled, taking a step away from her before he and the rest of the novices and apprentices bowed before her presence.
"Welcome home, Sorceress Supreme."
I FINALLY GRABBED AHOLD OF WRITER'S BLOCK AND KICKED ITS ARSE-
you can totally bet that scott lang dedicated a whole episode for cassandra in his podcast after endgame and the two songs i highly recommend for that relationship break up is ofc taylor's wildest dreams and paloma's only love can hurt like this