"How can there be a light gate?"
Strange wore a puzzled expression; he hadn't seen such a thing even once across all possible outcomes.
"Could it be that your time spell is faulty?"
At that moment, an indifferent voice emerged from within.
"Long time no see, Strange."
The words fell as Russell stepped out of the space-time gate.
Hearing this, Tony and the others turned their eyes to Strange simultaneously.
"Do we know each other?" Strange asked cautiously.
Russell smiled enigmatically.
"Of course. You even offered me a bottle of 63-year-old Chivas Regal—limited edition."
Strange's pupils constricted.
He did have a bottle of 63-year-old Chivas Regal—but it was his prized treasure. Offering it to someone? Impossible!
Star-Lord, oblivious to Strange's unease, brightened up at the mention of familiarity.
"Fantastic!" he exclaimed. "Is this the only time you said you've won, Mage? Was it thanks to your friend?"
Strange cast a glance at Tony before replying slowly, "Not quite. It wasn't just the time I won. In fact...
"Not even once."
The moment the words left his mouth, Tony raised his hand and fired a high-energy laser! At the same time, Strange conjured two glowing magic circles in his palms and unleashed the crimson Thunder of Bosat!
The sudden attack stunned Star-Lord and the others. One moment, they were talking—now, chaos ensued.
"What kind of social environment is Earth!?"
Spider-Man, though confused by the abrupt assault, didn't hesitate. Trusting Tony implicitly, he swung into action, launching his spider silk toward the wreckage of the spaceship.
Russell stood motionless, seemingly unfazed.
But just as the laser beam neared him, it deflected at an impossible angle, as though striking an invisible mirror, and ricocheted toward Spider-Man.
Strange's Thunder of Bosat followed swiftly. However, Russell merely grinned, and suddenly, Drax—standing over 20 meters away—was hit instead. He was flung back with a pained cry.
Star-Lord, now alarmed, turned his stiff neck toward Drax's new position.
True enough, standing where Drax had been moments ago was none other than Russell.
Star-Lord broke into a cold sweat and forced a shaky smile.
"I swear...we're not with them! Do you believe me?"
Russell's smile widened.
"What do you think?"
He reached for Mantis, who was sneaking up behind him, and with a sudden movement, used her as a makeshift flail. Star-Lord, caught mid-draw of his elemental gun, was knocked toward Strange.
Strange reacted quickly, conjuring a magic net to catch Star-Lord.
"Behind you!" Tony shouted suddenly.
Strange turned instinctively, conjuring a flaming sword to defend himself. To his shock, Russell caught the blade barehanded.
Russell smirked.
"You're in a hurry, Strange. Your spells lack refinement. Emperor Vishanti's techniques, reduced to this?"
With a flick of his fingers, he shattered the flaming sword.
Strange's confidence wavered.
Russell's sheer power was overwhelming. Strange's cloak whisked him away just in time, but he didn't stop casting. Within seconds, he conjured a golden net of spatial magic designed to restrict teleportation.
Meanwhile, Tony, avoiding direct lasers after their earlier deflection, launched a barrage of high-energy missiles.
Spider-Man retrieved Star-Lord using his magic spider silk as fiery explosions erupted around them.
As the smoke cleared, Tony turned to Strange.
"Who the hell is this guy?"
Strange replied grimly, "I don't know him, but he seems to know me."
Tony exhaled.
"Well, at least we won."
A voice interrupted him.
"Won? You're mistaken."
Russell's figure materialized behind them, untouched.
Tony's expression hardened.
"Friday, maximum power!"
The suit roared to life, unleashing a massive energy beam. The sheer force pinned Tony to the ground, yet Russell emerged unscathed, basking in the heat as though enjoying a spa.
Strange, Spider-Man, and the others launched coordinated attacks, only for Russell to counter effortlessly. He redirected attacks, nullified spells, and incapacitated them one by one.
By the end, Strange was wrapped in an enchanted vine, Star-Lord and Drax were trapped, and Spider-Man was immobilized.
Russell looked around, smirked, and opened a shimmering portal.
"Thanos should be here soon. Have fun!"
The heroes were left behind, trapped in a fractured mirror dimension.