The multiverse was a colorful and dazzling place, with each world completely different from the next. Some even resembled cartoon worlds—when they traveled through one of those, their bodies transformed from 3D into flat 2D paper figures. It was both bizarre and fascinating.
Stephen and America had crossed who knew how many layers of the multiverse before they finally reached their destination, landing on the rooftop of a building.
Just then, the video on the light screen paused, and a new question popped up:
[Which universe did Stephen Strange and America Chavez ultimately arrive in?]
[A: Universe 616
B: Universe 838
C: Universe 10005
D: Universe 12101]
Tip: This is a speed round. Players, please answer with caution.
Outside the screen, the two teams—six players in total—looked at one another, falling into silence.
This question was unlike the earlier ones. There were no clues at all. Just those universe numbers, which made their heads spin. Who knew which universe those two had ended up in?
"We'll have to guess," Pietro said, frowning.
Peter offered an idea: "I think we can rule out Option A. Remember that video about Mysterio? He mentioned that our universe is 616. So the answer should be either B, C, or D."
Stephen raised an eyebrow. "That guy was full of crap. Peter, you actually believe him?"
Peter scratched his head. "Well, yeah, I know he made stuff up. But I have a gut feeling that he was right about that part. You know my 'Peter Tingle,' right?"
The Spider-Sense was always a bit mysterious.
Stephen shrugged. "If I'm not mistaken, you haven't even been bitten by a spider yet. How do you have a 'Peter Tingle' already?"
Peter chuckled. "It's just a matter of time! I really think I'm right, and I want to help!"
"Alright then." Pietro gestured casually. "We'll pick one of the remaining three. I say D—biggest number."
Stephen went with B—his reasoning was just as flimsy: smallest number.
In the end, they compromised and picked C.
On the other side, Team A—Erik, Charles, and Logan—randomly chose A.
The countdown began. Neither team was in a rush to hit the buzzer; nobody felt confident, so they all held back, hoping the other team would go first.
As the clock ticked down, both teams finally pressed the button, with Team A winning the buzzer race.
Then came the reveal:
[Correct answer: B — Universe 838.]
[Team A answered incorrectly. Player Erik Lehnsherr, player Charles Xavier, and player Logan Howlett each lose 4 points]
[Team B answered incorrectly. Player Stephen Strange, player Peter Parker, and player Pietro Maximoff each lose 1 point.]
Charles shook his head. "This kind of question is pure luck. Ours just ran out."
Logan muttered, "When's it our turn already?" Erik gave him a side glance. "Aren't you curious about these multiverse things?"
Logan grinned. "I'm more curious about your future, Erik."
Meanwhile, Stephen and his team sighed in relief. Though they got it wrong, at least they hadn't buzzed in first—losing fewer points was a small victory.
As the question ended, the video resumed.
Stephen and America had landed in Universe 838's version of New York. The city was lush with greenery, filled with flowers and trees. It looked like a metropolis built inside a forest. People dressed in a somewhat retro style, yet the technology seemed even more advanced than their home universe.
Stephen barely had time to take in this strange new version of New York. Instead, he quickly checked his cloak, which had taken a hit from Wanda's magic just before they arrived—burning a hole in it. He urged America to open a portal so they could go back.
Wanda was still at Kamar-Taj, Wong was badly injured and unconscious—they needed his help. But no matter how anxious he was, it was useless. America still couldn't fully control her powers and could only open portals passively.
Stephen then thought of finding this universe's version of America. Maybe she had better control over the portals?
But America shook her head. Apparently, in the entire multiverse, she was the only one of her kind.
So, they decided to seek help from this universe's version of Stephen Strange. Along the way, they got a better sense of how different this universe was.
For example, the traffic lights here were the reverse of theirs—red meant go, green meant stop.
As they walked and talked, they became more familiar with each other. Eventually, they came across a memory viewer. According to the sign, stepping onto a specific panel would display one's most important memory.
Out of curiosity, Stephen gave it a try. What he saw was a memory of dating Christine.
At that time, Stephen was still just a neurosurgeon—not the Sorcerer Supreme.
During the date, Christine gave him a watch—the very one we saw earlier on his nightstand, with its cracked face after his nightmare.
Outside the screen, Pietro snorted. "Who knew you were such a romantic?"
Stephen awkwardly rubbed his arm. Having his private memories exposed like that felt like a violation. But he was somewhat used to it by now—every time one of these quiz games dropped, it always revealed some hero's secret or dark past.
After Stephen's turn, America stepped up to the platform. Her most vivid memory was from childhood—her first accidental portal-opening, which resulted in her two moms being cast into the multiverse. She had been drifting ever since.
Her mysterious past was truly tragic and sympathetic. The fact that she had two mothers and no father was also unexpected.
After this little incident, the two grew even closer as they continued walking. Eventually, they reached the New York Sanctum and saw a statue standing in the plaza outside.
It was a statue of Stephen himself.
There was no mistaking it—this universe's Doctor Strange. At the base of the statue, there was an inscription thanking him for sacrificing his life to defeat Thanos and save the world...
That was surprising enough—but what came next would be even more so.