Ranma Saotome: Master of the Mystic Arts
By Brendan O�Donnell
Chapter 4 appendium

 Note mostly retelling the story from Strange Tales183-187 in two appendiums
to Chapters 4 and 5

 In a less used part of Central Park in New York City, a mugger was
searching for his next victim.  The part was quiet, and there was no one in
sight.  He adjusted his jacket as he felt a wind from behind him.  Then he
froze as he saw the trees in front of him lit up by a great light, heard a
deep cracking sound reverberating behind him.  He turned around and looked.
 On his knees in the path was a tall man in a blue suit with a matching hat.
Shaking his head slightly he rose to his feet and looked the Mugger in the
eye.
 The mugger felt a sense of confidence, then a flash of the same trepidation
he had felt the time he had tried to attack SpiderMan.  This time he
listened to his reservations, and walked away.

 Stepping away from the Taxi, Dr. Strange looked up at his Sanctum
Sanctorium.  Frowning to himself he walked into an alley two buildings away
from his home.  Standing in a small alcove, he separated his astral body and
carefully floated through the walls of his home.
 Peeking carefully through the floor, Strange saw a tall looking over a
scroll in his sanctum.  *As I suspected, Mordo has left one of his servants
in case of my return.*  His Astral body slipped back out of the house, and
returned to his physical form.  �I know I could overpower him easily, but
the moment he sees me Mordo will know.  I have to discover the source of his
increased power before facing him again.�  Leaving the alley, he turned and
walked away from his sanctum.  Then he paused, glancing at the window of a
nearby costume shop.  �Hmm, yes, that might work.�

 �DR. STRANGE!!� the costumed figure called as he pounded his fist on the
door of the brownstone.  �Come out Dr. Strange!  I know your in there!  I�ve
come to  challenge you! To match my magic powers against yours!�  He was a
middle-aged man, somewhat heavyset with a trimmed mustache and beard, and
decked from head to foot in an extremely gaudy yellow and green costume,
complete with cape.
 With a frown, Mordo�s agent focused his attention on this intruder.  �Some
costumed oaf.  I must dispose of him at once.�  With a gesture he opened the
door from the street.
 Storming into the room, the yellow clad �oaf� paused to look at Mordo�s
henchman.  Taking in his forked beard, his purple and red outfit, he came to
a stop.  �Hey! Who are you?? You can�t fool me! You�re not Dr. Strange!�
 �Begone, witless one!  There is no Dr. Strange within these confines!  He
has departed forever!�
 Pivoting the self proclaimed mage stormed away.  �Bah!  You cannot fool me!
I know he�s inside!  I�m going to tell the newspapers what a fraud he is!
What a coward he is!�
 *No! if he does that he could warn Dr. Strange away!*  �Wait! Come Back!�
 Pivoting, the man in the yellow costume lashed out with a punch that
knocked Mordo�s agent to the ground.  After double-checking that his
adversary was indeed unconscious, he rose and ran into the sanctum, pulling
latex and a false beard off his face.  As the disguise was thrown aside, Dr.
Strange�s features became clear.  *I have just enough time.  The Orb of
Agamotto can show me the source of Mordo�s increased power.  And that
knowledge may be my only hope against him!*
 Dr. Strange entered the shrouded chamber where the Orb of Agamotto rested,
contained beneath a red metal dome on a pedestal with four eyes looking in
four directions.
 �By all the hoary hosts of Hoggoth, I command thee, awesome Agamotto, let
thine All-seeing eye open before me!�
 The metal dome rose, bathing Dr. Strange in it�s pure light.  �NO!�  Dr.
Strange froze to look at the black power becoming visible in the light of
the orb before dissolving into nothingness.  �It�s a Trap!  Mordo knows I�m
here!�

 In his own sanctum Baron Mordo smiled as he contemplated the enchanted
globe he before him.  �See Dormammu?  My plan has worked!  Now that we know
where he is, we can strike once again!�
>From his side, Dormammu spoke through the square portal he was using to
connect with the Baron.  �But heed my words!  My Patience wears exceedingly
thin!  This time he must be destroyed!  You must not fail!�
 Smirking arrogantly Mordo responded, �With your unearthly power added to my
own, I cannot fail!   And so Dread Dormammu, I turn to you again.�  Power
radiated from the portal, flowing into Mordo like a raging torrent.  �Ahhh,
this time victory shall surely be ours!�

 In the Dark Dimension Dormammu contemplated Mordo as he flew across the
world, moving with a speed that would make the fastest jets look sluggish.
*Soon.*  Dormammu thought.  *Only the oath I swore to Doctor Strange
prevents me from claiming that dimension.  But once Strange is destroyed,
that oath will protect it no longer!*
 Nearby a young looking woman with snow white hair looked at Dormammu�s
throne.  She turned to the bald figure beside her.  �Father, the dreaded one
has sat thus motionless for Days!  You are his closest disciple!  What new,
fantastic plan is he plotting?�
 �It is not safe to ask, my child!  He shall tell us in his own good time!�
 She turned to look at Dormammu again.  Thinking back to her brief encounter
with Dr. Strange, she shuddered as she thought of how Dormammu had raged
about his defeat.  And how she had feared that he would seek a way around
the oath Dr. Strange had invoked to protect her from his anger.

 Dr. Strange stood in his sanctum, discarding the last of his disguise and
adjusting his cloak of levitation.  �Mordo will be here any moment.  And
this time there is no where to run.�
 �Indeed not Strange!�  Mordo said as his body reformed from the sphere of
energy his had become to cross the distance to New York.  �There is no
escape for you now.�
 �This time I will stay and fight.�
 �True but incomplete.  You will also die!�  Raising his hands Mordo fired
off a quick burst of power that forced Dr. Strange back a step.
 Raising his hands Dr. Strange released a quick attack while opening his
amulet to release the light of truth that Mordo feared.  With a gesture
Mordo formed a shield against both the attack and the light.
 �You can�t dazzle me with your amulet this time.�  Mordo said with a sneer.
Raising his hands he began to pour Dormammu�s power into blast after blast,
forcing Dr. Strange back.
 Dr. Strange backed away slowly, reluctantly, but inevitably. He staggered
through a door into the next room Mordo calmly following him.
 �You never guessed my power was so great, did you?�
 �Not your power, you are drawing on a power far greater than your own.�
 �You are guessing!  And trying to delay.�  He attacked once again,
channeling Dormammu�s power into a massive barrage that knocked Dr. Strange
to the ground.
 Using the wall, Dr. Strange pulled himself to his feet.
 �How can you still move?�  Mordo asked as he attacked once more.
 Once again, Dr. Strange just deflected this attack, but he immediately
realized that the attack was the weakest blast Mordo had unleashed in the
entire battle.  At the same time, he could see the power in Mordo surging as
strong as before if not stronger.  *Of course. I�ve held out long enough
that he feels doubt in his abilities.*  Gathering all his strength, Dr.
Strange prepared to take advantage of this brief advantage.

In the Dark Dimension, Dormammu also saw the moment of weakness in his pawn.
�Mordo!  Stand fast and empty your mind!�

 Mordo�s uncertainty vanished, displaced by a wave of incredible power.
�Prepare yourself, Dr. Strange - - for the Inevitable!!�
 Through Mordo, Dormammu lashed out with his own irresistible might.

 �YES!� Mordo proclaimed, as his consciousness regained control of his body.
�With Dormammu�s supreme power I have finally destroyed Dr. Strange!�
 �Cease your boasting Mordo, Dr. Strange has escaped you once again!�
 �NO!  How?  You saw him vanish before our final attack!  He could not have
survived that!�
 �He managed to open a rift between dimensions, and the power you channeled
simply served to push him through, you blind fool!�
 �Dormammu! We must pursue him!  Increase my powers once again and I shall.
. .�
 �Do not presume, Mordo!  The dimensions of eternity are infinite!  I will
not waste my strength on such a pointless search.  Instead you will remain
on earth and wait.
 �The Globe you captured from the Ancient One will sense Dr. Strange�s
magic.  When he returns, if he survives to return, you will find him again
and send him to the fate he has dodged today.�

 A small shapeless form hurtled through the infinite.  Propelled by an
incredible force, it pierced the barriers between hundreds of dimensions,
shooting through layer after layer of reality, like a bullet through a
thousand sheets of paper.  But eventually the force propelling the object
was exhausted.  As it�s speed decreased, the ethereal form began to stretch
and distort.  Finally the now drifting thing, expanded into the human form
of Dr. Strange.
 Dr. Strange opened his eyes.  *It worked!  By using the force of Mordo�s
own spell I�ve escaped again.  But where am I?  And what might I have to
face here.*
 Feeling another presence behind him he turned.  On a node on a great
twisting vine was a woman  "Whoever you are, wherever you come from, you
must leave at once!  If you stay you will be in terrible danger.�
 With a thought Dr. Strange floated to the node as well.  �What Danger?  I
mean this world no harm.�
 �That doesn�t matter to my half-sister Shazana.  She has recently stolen
the throne, and she fears challenge so much that she has decreed death to
any and all strangers!  If she finds you, she will kill you!�
 Suddenly a shimmering globe of mystic force surged from the empty sky to
engulf them.  Pivoting to look, they saw a man riding a strange looking gray
steed through the air toward them.  �Your warning is too late.  Shazana�s
eyes and ears are everywhere!  And she will reward me handsomely for
bringing her you.�  He put away his vaguely gun shaped talisman, and pulled
on loop of wire who�s ends were attached to his mount�s beak.  As he took
off toward the large structure rising from the meeting of several of the
great vines, the globe rose and followed him.
 *I should have guessed that my spell of escape would draw me to a world
where the mystic arts are also practiced.*

 The guard pushed Dr. Strange and his companion before him into a large
room, dominated by a small curved staircase.  Dr. Strange looked at the dark
haired woman standing confidently before the stairs, and stepped forward,
raising a hand.  �Greetings, I am a visitor from another dimension.  I come
in peace, and believe we could both learn much of benefit from each other.�
 Angrily turning, the woman replied angrily, �You can�t deceive me so
easily!  My half sister has wanted to steal back her throne, and you clearly
are trying to help her.  You can�t fool Shazana so easily!�  She began to
gather mystical power in both her hands.  �I shall dispose of you both with
a single spell!�
 *I�m still weak from my trip through the dimensions, but I must fight
back!*  Raising a hand, Dr. Strange gestured, and the spell Shazana was
forming collapsed.
 �So, dear sister!  You have recruited a mage from another world  to regain
your throne!�  She gathered her mystical powers again, this time prepared
for interference.
 �She�s too strong!  We have to run, now!�
 Shaking his head Dr. Strange responded, �NO! A mystic spell can travel
faster than we could ever hope to move.  If we flee, we�re doomed!�
 �You are doomed whatever you do!�  Shazana let her power fill herself and
radiate into the surroundings.  �I can feel your weakness!�  She released a
blast of mystical power at Dr. Strange.
 *As I am now, she is too powerful for me to face.  My only hope is if she
thinks that this weakness is my normal state.*  He collapsed
 �So easy.  No need to kill him.  He will serve even better as a living
reminder of my invincibility, and an example to all who might dare to oppose
me!�  She laughed confidently.
 Her sister took a step toward Dr. Strange.  �No closer!�  Shazana gathered
her power.  �Now that I think of it, I have nothing to fear from you
 either!�  With a quick gesture she formed a small globe of light.  �I shall
let you live also, to show my subjects how merciful their Queen Shazana is!�
A motion of her hand sent the globe of light bobbing slowly down the hall.
�Follow the light to your quarters!  And remain there till I send for you!�
Head bowed, her sister followed the globe from the room.
 �Now to deal with you.  I think I shall cast a spell of helplessness and
then put you on public display!�
 *By the powers of the Vistani- I conjure a brief delay!*  With skill only
the greatest sorcerers possessed, Dr. Strange touched the thread of his
fate, let the silently called powers touch it and through it all others.
 �Supreme Shazana!� declared a messenger as he bowed low just inside the
doorway.  �Your subjects have arrived to offer tribute to your supreme
majesty!�
 �Ah!  Good!  Good!  I shall accept their gifts while you remain here
awaiting your fate.�

 Dr. Strange sat alone in the room.  For a moment his astral body began to
separate from his physical body, but then the two phased back together.
*Too soon.  Assuming my astral form would weaken me too much.*  Relaxing he
centered his breathing, and felt the mystic energy of the new world flow
into and through him.  With each breath he felt a little more of his
weakness fade away.  *Every moment restores a little more of my strength.
But I cannot stay too long in this realm!  Mordo threatens earth, and no one
has the strength to stop him!*  Slowly he sat, gathering more and more of
his energy.  A small reptile, shaped like a monkey, slowly made its way into
the room and circled closer and closer to him.

 Dr. Strange clenched a fist.  *Enough.  I can�t benefit any more from
waiting.*  He glanced around him.  The small bipedal lizard that looking at
him started back.  Raising a hand, Dr. Strange froze the creature with one
gesture.  *I remember this.  It seemed to be Shazana�s pet.*  The amulet at
his throat opened.  A glowing eye floated from within it, then affixed
itself to his forehead.  Light poured from the eye.
 Dr. Strange felt the strange alien mind of the animal he was examining.  In
a few moments he began to feel it�s memories.  *Ah, there is Shazana, it is
indeed hers.*  He began to sift through the disjointed images.  *It now
becomes clear.  Shazana offered a master sorcerer great rewards in exchange
for his crafting a mystic globe that endowed her with great mystical powers.
And when he gave her what she had sought she proved it�s power by killing
him.  Then she hid the orb beneath the throne.*  The beam of light faded,
and the eye detached from his forehead and floated back into the amulet.
*Now I know my enemy.  And that is the greatest weapon of all.*

 Dr. Strange focused his mind through his amulet.  The eye rose to merge
with his forehead once again, then an image of the eye projected forth.
Silently the invisible eye sped through the palace, following the path
Shazana�s sister had taken.  In her room the image grew and became visible,
manifesting Dr. Strange�s image within itself.
 �Have no fear!  I can defeat Shazana.  Come to me at once.�  Through the
eye Dr. Strange directed a simple spell onto her.  �None shall stop you!�

 Just under a minute later Shazana�s sister entered the room again.  �Better
to die fighting.�  She said quietly.
 �No one need die.�  Dr. Strange looked at her approvingly.  �I have learned
of the source of Shazana�s power, and to eliminate it I will need only to
distract her away from her throne for a few moments.  You must summon those
you most trust.�
 �There are many who would give their lives to end her reign.�

 With a thought, Dr. Strange taped the power of his cloak and rose to sit in
the air before the small group.  �So none of you shall doubt my mastery of
the Mystic Arts!�  He then outlined his plans to the rebels.  Shazana's
sister and two others lead him to the throne room, leaving the others to
prepare their delaying plans.

 Shazana rose from her throne and strode forward, a fierce scowl on her
face.  "You call this tribute?!"  Raising her hands she gathered her mystic
powers.  "I shall send you to the dungeon to rethink your stinginess."
Releasing her spell, she watched with satisfaction as the emissaries and
their large gold filled chest fell through the hole in reality she had
opened.  "They try to test my great benevolence."  She turned to the throne,
then turned away and smiled.  Turning she strode from the room.  "I shall
deal with that stranger now.  When my people see the folly of opposing me,
they will not be so disrespectful again."  She walked past Dr Strange and
her sister and continued down the hall.
 "She didn't see us."
 "My Magic shielded us from her sight." Dr. Strange replied as he walked
into the throne room.  He stopped and looked at the throne.  Focusing his
mystical perception, he saw the ordered magic of the orb permeating the
throne.  *She will sense physical tampering, but I can see how to circumvent
that.*  Opening his amulet, he let the light of Agamato shine on the throne,
which began to glow in response.

 Shazana ran from the audience room.  "Where is he!  Whoever helped him
leave shall feel my wraith," She froze a moment.  "My Throne!"

 In the throne room, the throne shimmered and faded to nothingness before
the light of Dr. Strange's amulet.  "There, the source of Shazana's power is
revealed!"
 From another entrance, Shazana ran into the room.  "Stop, I don't know who
helped you to escape. . ."  She saw Dr. Strange levitating before the
daises, right over her orb.  "NO!!  KEEP AWAY FROM THAT!!" Tapping her
powers as fast as she could, she attacked, and watched her blasts bounce of
a casually erected shield.
 "Your days as queen are over."  Dr. Strange said as he wove the remainder
of a complex spell across the sphere and himself.  With a gesture he
shattered the globe, Empowering his newly crafted spell with the power to
send him through the dimensions once again, this time aimed precisely at the
dimension of Earth.

 The fabric of reality of the sky above New York, bulged and warped for a
few moments, before tearing open to disgorge an amorphous shape which
transformed back to the form of Dr. Strange.  "I'm back on Earth!" he said
as he reoriented himself, ignoring the growing thunderstorm overhead.
Recognizing his location, he descended to the alley where he had hidden his
street clothes. *I cannot return to my sanctum, Mordo's minions are surely
on guard.  Yet I still posses one advantage!  Mordo has no way of knowing
that I have returned.  I shall use these precious moments to visit the
Ancient One.*
 He quickly checked into a nearby hotel.  Drawing the shades, he settled
into the chair and separated his astral form.  *The Quickest way to reach
Tibet is by journeying through the core of Earth*  With this thought, he
dived through the street, and within seconds emerged from the floor of the
cave where the Ancient one was hidden.
 Glancing at the Acolyte who was mopping the Ancient One's brow with a damp
cloth, Dr. Strange cast a small spell to make his Astral form visible.
 "Young Master!  You have returned!  The Vishanti be praised!"
 "Thank you but the master is my main concern."  Dr. Strange said as he
levitated closer to the bed.
 The acolyte took a respectful step back.  "The Ancient One has been in a
coma since you left.  Each day he grows weaker.  But it is beyond  my poor
powers to aid him.  I could only pray for your return!"
 Dr. Strange opened his senses, and felt the Ancient one's life energy.  "He
is weak.  He needs strength!"
 "Many times in his coma, he muttered a word - - only one word over and over
again!  The word - - Eternity!"
 "No time for that now!  I must replenish his strength quickly - - before it
is too late!"  Standing at the foot of the bed, Dr. Strange focused his
power in his amulet.
 "Let the power of the Eye of Agamato bathe thee venerable master!  Let it's
strength become thy strength!"  Watching  the brightening glow of the
Ancient one's life, Dr. Strange let the power flow for one second, then two,
 then three.  "Enough!  Too strong a dose could prove fatal!"
 Turning to the acolyte Dr. Strange said, "I must go now.  I shall return
periodically to re-administer the amulet's power!  Till then, guard him
well, faithful one - - while I ponder the meaning of - - Eternity!"  Leaning
forward, he sank through the floor.
 Minutes later he rose in the library of the ancient one's sanctum.
Releasing the all seeing eye from it's amulet, he let it rise to his
forehead to become a third eye.  Focusing his awareness through the eye, he
turned his gaze on the books and scrolls filling the room.  Long seconds
later, he let the eye return to it's place in the amulet.  "No use!  There
is no reference to Eternity!  If the Master said it, it must be important!
I shall not rest till I learn its meaning!"
 He phased through the wall of the chamber, then whipped his head to look at
the presence to his left.  His eyes met the eyes of one of Mordo's wraith
servants, *It's seen me!*

 In his own sanctum, Mordo suddenly tensed.  "A signal!  One of my spirits
has found him!  At last!"
 As Mordo separated his own astral form from his physical body, Dormamu
spoke from the small tear in reality.  "After him Mordo!  Have no fear, I
shall feed you endless mystic power as you need it!"
 Seconds later, Mordo and three attendant wraiths caught sight of Dr.
Strange in the caverns beneath the earth.  "I see him!"  Mordo cried as he
focused a fast blast of power against Dr. Strange.
 In the Dark Dimension, Dormammu sat on his throne, using the connection
that empowered Mordo to watch the chase through his eyes.  "Mordo must
triumph this time!  I must have Strange dead!
 "Once he is gone, I'll be free of my oath!  I'll be able to come to earth
in person and conquer it!"
 Hidden well back from the throne, a young looking woman with short white
hair watched Dormammu with a very troubled expression.  Turning from him she
speed away.  *I owe Dr. Strange my life!  And now there is only one way I
can save him.  No matter the cost - - I must do it!*

 In the caverns, Dr. Strange phased through a natural pillar, avoiding
simulations mystic blasts from Mordo and a wraith.  *It's too cramped down
here.  I must return to the surface!*  Seconds later he shot up from the
ground in an Indian town square, Mordo in hot pursuit
 "You won't escape me this time, Strange!  There is no place you can go
where I cannot follow!"
 Strange fled across and into the ocean, Mordo and his wraiths in pursuit.
*Their speed is equal to mine!  There is no way I can out-distance them!
And Mordo can transfer his power to any of his spirits at will! So they are
all equally strong!*

 In the Dark Dimension, the white haired girl was flying purposefully, a
small speckled sphere grasped to her chest.  *The Barrier.  Beyond here the
Mindless Ones have been imprisoned by the power of the Dread Dormammu!*  She
felt terror rising within her as she gazed through the barrier.  Inside the
Mindless One's were following the dictates of their nature, striding
irregularly, lashing out at anything in their path with their mighty fists,
or blasts of power from their single eye.
 *Only Dormammu's mystic barrier kept them at bay!*  She carefully set the
sphere onto the floating vine that marked the edge of the unseen wall.  *But
this device which I have seized can weaken the barrier!*  Activating the
sphere, she fled as the orb drank the barrier power.
 Behind her more and more of the barriers power was drained away by the
sphere's power.  And the drain was intensified as those mindless one's near
the barrier continued to periodically recognize it as an obstacle.  Then the
barrier collapsed.
 Like a hoard of rampaging, living dreadnoughts, the unthinking creatures
charged forward, hungering for the fury of battle!  Seconds later, they
passed unknowing through a warning spell placed by Dormammu.

 "The Mindless Ones Attack!!"  The mystic alarm in the dark dimension
screamed.
 "I can help you no longer!  Other Matters need my attention! Defeat Dr.
Strange on your own!"
 "NO!"  Responded Mordo on earth.  "You must not desert me now!"
 "I must!  But Strange will not know you are less powerful!  You can still
defeat him!"
 "Dormammu!  DORMAMMU!  Wait!  Come back!  Come back!"

 In the Dark Dimension, Dormammu appeared before the onrushing tide of the
mindless ones.  Sensing his threat, they began their attack, directing
enough force to shatter an earth city against him.  Gathering his power,
Dormammu deflected their power while gathering the magic to form a new
barrier to seal them away.  "Back, you brainless cattle!  Back to the place
from whence you came!  Dormammu commands!"

 On earth, Dr. strange floated between the skyscrapers of Los Angeles,
dodging the blasts that now came from every direction.  *They've finally
surrounded me!  I dare not let them come any closer!  The only direction
left to me is - - upward!*  Pushing his astral forms speed to it's limits,
he rose straight up into the sky.
 "After him!"  Mordo urged his minions as he flew into the sky after his
prey.  "He must not escape!"
 *I must go higher - - higher!  Past earth's atmosphere - - Past the
moon - - Right to the center of the Solar System!*
 "Has he gone mad??  He's heading right into the sun itself!"  Mordo almost
slowed as he realized his enemies destination.  *Heat alone cannot affect
our ectoplasmic forms, but the sheer power of the suns core. . . *
 As approached the outer surface of the sun, Dr. Strange glanced backward.
"Follow me, Mordo - - if you dare!  For if we both perish, earth will be
free of your menace and The Ancient One will be safe!"  Looking forward, he
dove through the Suns flaming skin.
 Mordo did slow as he approached the Suns surface.  Feeling his servants
fear, he glanced back at them.  *They will go no further, they fear what
awaits them!  But I must go on!*  Turning back to the sun, Mordo accelerated
again.  *I've come so close!  I can't fail now!*  He felt the spirits
suddenly fleeing back to earth.  *They're deserting me completely!  But - -
they would not dare such behavior unless they can sense I am doomed!*  *Bah!
What am I thinking!  None can defeat me!*
 He plunged into the sun, and flew deeper, feeling the raw might of the sun,
feeling his astral body beginning to protest what he was doing.  "Your
scheme did not work, Strange!  You cannot loose me!  Wherever you go, I'll
follow you, until you are destroyed!"
 Looking back at Mordo, Dr. Strange responded.  "No Mordo - - not just I - -
both of us!  For I shall fly directly into the core of the Sun - - and I'll
take you with me!
 *That means certain death!  Unless - - what if it is a trick?  What if he
knows a spell to protect himself?  That must be it!  He plans to lure me to
my death!  But I'm too smart for him!  He cannot trap me!*  No, Strange - -
I shall not follow you!"  Turning he focused his power into speeding his
escape from the sea of nuclear fire.  "You cannot trick me so easily!  I'll
wait for you on earth and attack you again at my leisure!"
 Dr. Strange watched Mordo flee, then began to speed an escape of his own.
*It worked!  He's fleeing!  The shades of the seraphim have been merciful to
me!  Now I shall return to earth by a different route.  With luck it will be
days before Mordo finds me again!*

 A few minutes later, Dr. Strange's astral form floated down through the
ceiling of the cave where the Ancient one was hidden.  "How fares the
Master?"
 "He is better, Dr. Strange!  Your amulet has strengthened him, though he is
still in a coma."
 "It is time to repeat the treatment, with a stronger intensity now!"
 As the light of Agamato poured over the Ancient One, his breathing
quickened, and deepened.  "Eternity!"  He whispered  "You must find
Eternity!"
 "He tries to speak."  The acolyte said quietly.  "Listen!"
 Seconds passed.  "He is silent again.  The strain has weakened him."  Dr.
Strange raised his hands to the phantom essence of his amulet.  The all
seeing eye once again rose to his forehead.  "Perhaps I can probe his mind,
and learn the meaning of eternity."
 Leaning forward, Dr. Strange directed the light from they eye, and reached
into the Ancient one's mind.  "Gently - - gently - - the slightest error in
pressure could cause untold brain damage!"  He probed carefully, then
frowned.  "It is no use!  He is in a coma again!  And his mind is locked in
a mystic defense!  If I try to penetrate his mental defenses, one of us
would surely perish!  I must find another way!"

 In the Dark Dimension, Dormammu watched the Mindless one's futile attempt
to force their way through his hasty weavings.  "There!  Only the Dread
Dormammu could have erected a new barrier to confine you once more!  And
now, by the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak, I force my barrier back, back - -
Back to the outer reaches of my empire, where you shall remain forevermore!"

 Mordo paced anxiously in his sanctum.  *Why is there no word from
Dormammu??  What has happened to him?*  Feeling a wash of power, he looked
at where Dormammu's image once again shone in the air.
 "Mordo!  Is it over?  Is Dr. Strange destroyed??"
 "NO!  The spirits deserted me!  And Strange had the secret of survival in
the sun's core!  I dared not follow him!
 "Coward!  There is no such secret!  You feared to follow!  I must go now.
My own power has been drained - - I must renew it.  But I shall return to
you before long!  Meanwhile, continue to search for Dr. Strange!  Hound
him - - weary him - - give him no rest!  That is all!"

 As Dormammu sat on his throne, absorbing power and contemplating the
Mindless one's escape, the white haired young woman responsible, replaced
the device that had weakened the barrier.  *But if he thinks about it,
Dormammu is almost certain to discover that I am responsible!*


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