Wanda lay on the ground like a dead dog, motionless.
The atmosphere turned strangely quiet.
Even the Illuminati members were caught off guard.
The terrifying witch who had one-shot Iron Man and Black Bolt…
was defeated just like that?
So easily?
As expected of Alex.
"Alex… thank god you came."
Reed Richards exhaled in genuine relief.
Even though he, Strange, and Charles hadn't had time to join the fight, the power Wanda had displayed was overwhelming—
so overwhelming that Reed honestly doubted the Illuminati could have withstood her.
And even if they could, it would've been a bloody victory.
Black Bolt—now unable to speak—gave Alex a grateful nod.
He knew without a doubt:
If Alex hadn't intervened, he would already be dead.
When his mouth had vanished, he distinctly sensed a horrifying power invading his mind—
something that could erupt and obliterate his skull at any moment.
He had felt death.
---
"Wanda…
was defeated?"
"So easily defeated?"
In the control room, the other Doctor Strange stared at the screen in slack-jawed disbelief.
The woman who had chased him across the multiverse, who no one could stop—
was defeated in seconds?
What kind of joke was this?
If he hadn't personally witnessed it, he would never have believed it.
But soon—
"Good… good!"
"Finally! Someone can stop her!"
The alternate Strange nearly shouted with joy.
At last—
he no longer had to run endlessly through the multiverse.
---
Elsewhere in a Parallel Universe
Inside a quiet forest cabin…
The true Dark Scarlet Witch hovered cross-legged in midair.
Her expression twisted in shock.
"That man…
What is he?"
With her current power, she had been flattened instantly.
A tempest surged within her chest.
---
Back in the Illuminati hall, Alex stepped forward.
"Everyone," he said, sweeping his gaze across the room.
"I propose you leave this matter to Krakoa. Hand these two over to me. I'll handle the threat coming from the other universe."
This matter involved a powerful enemy from outside their universe.
Handled poorly, it could cause inter-universal consequences—
perhaps even another Incursion-level disaster like Infinite Ultron's invasion.
Because of that, Alex still needed their formal approval.
And to the Illuminati?
This was a gamble big enough to endanger the entire universe.
If anyone else had requested this, they would have refused without hesitation.
But Alex was different.
"If we're handing them to Alex, I have no objections," Reed Richards said after brief consideration.
"I have only one condition, Alex," Doctor Strange added seriously.
"You must ensure everything is handled properly."
"If any danger is brought to this universe because of this…
you bear the full responsibility."
"And that responsibility—will be as heavy as a mountain."
Strange's words were perfectly reasonable.
Alex nodded without hesitation.
"Of course. Since I chose to take this on, I'll take responsibility for the outcome."
"Well then, I have no objections."
Strange shrugged and looked at Tony and Black Bolt.
"What about you two?"
"That burning potato? Who besides Alex could possibly take it?"
Tony waved. "I sure don't have the time for it."
No—you don't have the strength, the Illuminati silently thought.
Black Bolt nodded to show agreement.
And just like that—
a unanimous decision was reached.
Alex's overwhelming display had convinced everyone present.
---
"Gentlemen, Wanda has regained consciousness. Shall we bring her in?"
A robot appeared, awaiting instruction.
"She's awake? Then what are you waiting for?"
Tony gestured impatiently.
The robot left and soon returned—
bringing Wanda before them.
This Wanda looked confused, wary.
Gone was the murderous aura.
She seemed like a completely different person.
After brief questioning, the truth was clear:
She really had been controlled by another Wanda through magic.
Exactly matching the alternate Strange's account.
Since she was an innocent victim, the Illuminati naturally didn't intend to harm her.
They released her soon after.
---
Alex then led the alternate Doctor Strange to another room—
where America Chavez was resting.
"Stephen! Are you okay?"
America rushed over the instant she saw him.
The two had fled together for so long that a deep bond had formed.
"I'm fine," Strange said gently.
"Everything is okay."
Then he introduced Alex.
"This is Mr. Alex—Homelander, if you prefer.
America… from now on—
we don't have to run anymore."
America blinked, stunned.
"Why? Why don't we need to run?"
She glanced at Alex—
young, calm, smiling—
then turned back to Strange with suspicion.
"Because from now on," Alex said with a relaxed smile,
"I'll be protecting you."
America stared blankly.
This guy…
was only a few years older than her.
Yet he talked like he was offering the protection of a cosmic emperor.
Did he even understand how ridiculous that sounded?
In front of that terrifying woman, who in the entire multiverse could protect her?
"He's telling the truth," Strange said from beside her.
"He just defeated Wanda."
America froze—
her eyes widening in shock.
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