Strange froze. "What?"
"Your universe is gone," James shrugged. "Stay here. Kamar-Taj won't mind another Sorcerer Supreme."
Strange hesitated, emotions swirling. Uatu said, "Your choice, Stephen." Strange nodded. "Fine."
Uatu faded, returning to his realm. James opened a gold portal to Earth's Kamar-Taj. The Ancient One sat with tea, sensing their arrival. She stood as James emerged, followed by Wanda, Kara, and a dark-robed Strange, her eyes lingering on James's six-gem gauntlet.
"James," she said, calm but surprised. "Bringing me a Sorcerer Supreme?"
"Want him?" James smirked.
Her gaze shifted to Strange, sensing his dark power. "What happened to you?"
James answered, "He tapped the Dark Dimension to save his love, costing his universe."
The Ancient One sighed. "Obsession is a deep abyss."
Strange smiled bitterly. "I thought I could control the cost."
"Every mage does," she replied. Silence fell, leaves rustling. She eyed James's gems. "What's your plan?"
"Keep them," he said. "No world-ending hobbies."
She nodded. "I hope so." To Strange, she said, "Your universe is gone. Kamar-Taj can be your home."
Strange, stunned, asked, "Even with my darkness?"
"Darkness isn't the end," she smiled. "Can you find your path?" A golden sigil glowed. "This world's Stephen isn't a mage yet. You could guide him."
Strange chuckled. "Ironic cycle."
James clapped. "Delivered. You two chat." As he turned, the Ancient One called, "James. The gems are cosmic balancers. Use them wisely."
He waved, portal opening. He, Wanda, and Kara vanished.
In Kamar-Taj's courtyard, the Ancient One smiled at Strange. "Start with tea."
New York, James's Villa
A portal opened at the villa's entrance, sunset glowing. Origin-1 and Origin-2 stood in the courtyard. Wanda stretched, her armor retracting. "Home sweet home."
Kara grinned. "More fun than Krypton's escape."
James pushed open the door, the trio sinking into the living room's soft sofas. "Nothing beats home," Wanda sighed.
James snapped his fingers. Shadows stirred, red-eyed Shadowkhan rising, kneeling. "Drinks and red wine," he ordered. They vanished, returning with bottles.
Wanda and Kara gaped. "What are these?!" Kara asked.
"Forgot to mention," James said. "From another world—Shadowkhan."
"Another world?" Kara raised a brow.
Wanda leaned in. "Spill!"
Sipping wine, James recounted his Jackie Chan Adventures journey—collecting the Twelve Talismans, battling the Eight Demons, mastering the Shadowkhan, and fusing demonic magic. "Against Ultron, the Horse Talisman's expulsion and soul invasion helped," he said. "Six gems weren't easy."
Wanda blinked. "How many powers do you have?"
"Too many," James chuckled.
Kara poked a Shadowkhan. "What else can they do?"
James snapped, more Shadowkhan emerging with blades, bows, even a shadow piano. Wanda laughed. "They play piano?"
"Theoretically," James said. "But their taste is awful."
They clinked glasses, wine glinting under lights, the moment peaceful.
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