[b]Nightmare's Dimension[/b]

[color=007236]"How'd you know what I was up to?"[/color] Nightmare hissed.

[color=ffa700]"Those like you always try to take advantage of the holiday. I stay on alert and you made the stupid of decision of coming to my home city."[/color] Doctor Strange responded before pointing to Nightmare's wrists.

Nightmare looked to see magical ropes tying his wrist to the ground. [color=007236]"You think your parlor tricks have any power in MY DOMAIN?"[/color] He pulled forward trying to remove the ropes from the ground, but found they were a bit sturdier than he believed. No matter. The air around the ropes turned corrosive melting away at the magic.

Strange raised his eye, impressed. This was going to be a fun fight at least. [color=ffa700]"How about a taste of your own medicine then?"[/color] He did a series of complex and strange movements with his hands transforming the world around them. The world was darkness and Strange disappeared into the abyss. Nightmare was left alone. The faint glow of his green clothes providing him the tiniest of light. "You hate to be alone, don't you?" Strange's voice echoed. [color=ffa700]"That's why you find yourself invading the dreams of others. Not to torment them, but to experience and steal what you'll never have. Joy. Love. Companionship. You don't even have a single friend. No wonder you hate those who can find hope in the worst moments. You want to snuff it out so they can feel like you, but I won't let you do that to those kids."[/color]

[color=007236]"Shut up!"[/color] Nightmare yelled out to no one and nothing. [color=007236]"You don't know me, Strange. All I do is show them the truth. The truth they know deep down inside."[/color]

[color=ffa700]"Is that not what I'm doing to you? Next I'm going to trap you here. You won't leave this realm, this darkness, ever again. I invoke the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak and the Chains of Krakkan."[/color]

[color=007236]"No!!! You can't do this!!! This isn't fair! This is my victory!"[/color] Suddenly red bands of fabric appeared out of nowhere and wrapped itself around Nightmare's body and even covered his mouth so he wouldn't be able to speak his way out of this. Before he could react to this chains erupted from the floor to wrap around him and chain him to the floor of his realm. He was forced to his knees unable to say or do anything, but squirm.

A portal opened in front of him. He tried to move towards it, but suddenly he heard a laugh. Doctor Strange appeared in front of Nightmare and knelt in front of him. [color=ffa700]"Goodbye, Nightmare."[/color] He stood up and was about to exit through the portal when he felt someone else's presence here. He changed the portal's destination and stepped through to find himself in another one of Nightmare's nightmares. The world was in ruins. The only sign of life left was a young boy. He was in the fetal position, seemingly losing all hope and strength to fight. 

Strange approached him and placed his hand on his shoulder. [color=ffa700]"Son, it's okay."[/color] Alex was startled and tried to scurry away, but realized this man wasn't Nightmare. [color=ffa700]"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. He seems to have done a number on you. I'm going to get you out of here, but you're going to have to fight for your body back."[/color]

[hr]

The group was still recovering in the living room and waiting for Doctor Strange when Alex suddenly groaned in pain. Nico turned to check on him. [color=cc99ff]"Are you okay?"[/color] She asked, never seeing him like this before.

[color=orange]"I'm... fine."[/color] He muttered as he held his stomach.

[color=ff3399]"You don't look fine."[/color] Molly replied. [color=ff3399]"You look sick."[/color]

[color=E137E3]"Do Gibborim even get sick?"[/color] Caty asked.

[color=669999]"They don't."[/color] Nathan said, alarmed and jumping to defense, the others joining as well. Nico was confused, but stepped back. [color=cc99ff]"Alex?"[/color]

Before anyone could answer her a portal opened in the center of the room with Stephen Strange exiting. [color=ffa700]"That's not Alex."[/color] He proclaimed while throwing Alex's astral form into his body. Nightmare Alex yelled in pain before collapsing to the floor. Nico ran up to him and tried to touch him, but he was scolding hot.

[color=cc99ff]"What's wrong with him!?"[/color] She asked.

[color=ffa700]"Nightmare took over his body and left his spirit in his Nightmare Realm. They're fighting for control right now. It might take a while."[/color] Strange answered, but as soon as he finished Alex stood up and expelled a green gas. [color=ffa700]"Or not."[/color] Strange said while conjuring up a magic vacuum to suck up all of the gas. He created another portal before tossing the vacuum inside and closing the portal behind it.

Alex and Nico embraced each other, Caty and Karolina did the same. They couldn't believe the night they had and how they almost lost Alex. Caty approached Stephen Strange and hugged him. Strange was... confused. He held his arms up. [color=ffa700]"Please. This is absolutely not necessary."[/color]

[color=E137E3]"No, it absolutely is."[/color] Caty said before letting him go. [color=E137E3]"You saved our lives. And I... I let my guard down. I should've known better. I thought for one Halloween it'd be okay. But not again."[/color] She turned to Karolina. [color=E137E3]"I'm sorry, Lucy. The city needs Spider-Woman tonight."[/color]

Strange shook his head. [color=ffa700]"No. I'll continue to keep watch tonight. You kids go and have fun. You've earned it. You saved the world twice in one day after all and New York plenty of times. They'll be okay without you for one night."[/color]

[color=E137E3]"Thank you, Doctor Strange."[/color] Caty said. [color=E137E3]"You should meet my son and his girlfriend, she's a witch, but sweet. They're Avengers."[/color]

Strange was very confused until she said they were Avengers. So she created the Vision and he was dating the Scarlet Witch. Maybe it was time for him to join the Avengers. Nico and Alex then approached him. [color=cc99ff]"Thank you for saving, Alex. I wasn't able to. I didn't even realize he wasn't Alex. I would have eventually, but I need to get stronger. I need to be able to protect my friends. Can we be your students?"[/color]

Strange wasn't planning on ever taking on any students, but the idea intrigued him. [color=ffa700]"Fine. You start tomorrow."[/color]

[color=orange]"Actually..."[/color] Alex started. [color=orange]"We were hoping to start tonight."[/color]