☆

SIENNA STRANGE KNEW SOMETHING was going on. The first sign had been the school evacuation with an alien invasion, which Sienna knew her parents would be involved in.

Then, the second: Iron Man's friends had taken Sienna away from her class, where Sienna had demanded to know where her parents were. Sienna had stomped her foot, folding her arms across her chest, but no one would tell the seven-year-old anything.

But Sienna knew her parents were saving the world. With Iron Man.

When no one answered Sienna's questions, she cried as she held onto her necklace, wishing on the stars. The stardust kept her fear hidden as Sienna waited, knowing they would come home.

And then Nicole was there with Sienna running into her arms.

"I wanna go home," Sienna whispered.

"We'll go home," Nicole promised.

Without her dad around, Wong had been there to take the two to the safety of their home. As Sienna peeked at him, she saw the fear that lingered in his gaze, but he tried to hide it with a small, brief smile.

"Is mommy and daddy saving the world?" Sienna asked.

"They are," Wong told her honestly. "But they need you to stay here and keep Nicole safe. Can you do that for us?"

Sienna nodded. "Do you have to go?"

"I do," Wong said. "But I'll be back."

Knowing she couldn't stop him, Sienna hugged Wong, feeling his hand touch her back. Then, Wong too, was gone with Sienna and Nicole left. Sienna noticed that Nicole was on edge, but she acted as if Sienna was clueless.

So, together, they tried to forget about what was happening in the outside world. They had watched movies together, where Sienna was silent, holding onto her necklace as she waited.

Time ticked by and no one came home.

Time ticked by and Nicole was staying the night.

"Why don't you go get your pyjamas on and I'll start some dinner?" Nicole suggested.

"Can we have ice cream for dinner?" Sienna asked.

Nicole paused as Sienna smiled in the hope to get what she wanted.

"Just this once," said Nicole. "But you better not tell your mom or I'll be in trouble."

Sienna giggled at that. "Daddy's in trouble for taking me to Antarctica."

"Of course, your dad took you to Antarctica," Nicole laughed. "Right, pyjamas, then ice cream and you can tell me all about it."

Sienna was happy with that as she hurried to her bedroom, changing into her sparkly unicorn pyjamas. Then, from the kitchen downstairs, there was a smash as Sienna jumped.

"Nicole?" Sienna called out.

There was no reply as Sienna frowned.

Heading downstairs, she ended up back in the kitchen again to find the freezer door left open. The tubs of ice cream were on the floor, as well as two china bowls that were now smashed.

"Nicole?" Sienna questioned.

Holding onto her bunny, Sienna looked around the kitchen but she couldn't see Nicole. Walking around, Sienna called out Nicole's name, unable to find her.

"Are we playing hide and seek?" Sienna asked.

The question let Sienna's fear show as she held onto her necklace, keeping her bunny close to her. Sienna carried on searching the house, knowing all the hiding spots herself, but she couldn't find Nicole.

"Nicole?" Sienna whispered, feeling her bottom lip wobble.

The tears burned her eyes as a sob caught in Sienna's throat, feeling frightened now. Back in the kitchen again, Sienna closed the freezer, staring at the broken bowls.

"Where are you?" Sienna cried.

More than anything, Sienna wanted her mom.

Her mom, who never left and always came home.

"Oh, Sienna."

Turning, Sienna found Wong with an amber portal lit up behind him. From his face, Sienna knew something had happened — something a lot worse than from when the day had started. There was a sadness to his gaze, a sympathetic look that Sienna knew too well from when her dad ended up in a car crash.

"I can't find Nicole," Sienna told Wong.

"I know," Wong replied, trying to smile but it was forced.

"Where did she go?" Sienna asked.

Why did she leave?

"I don't know," Wong answered honestly. "But I will find her, Sienna. For now, you have to come to Kamar-Taj with me."

Sienna sniffled, holding onto her necklace. "Mommy and daddy will come home."

"They will," Wong reassured her, but Sienna sensed that he didn't quite believe in the words. "But they'll know where to find you."

Wong offered his hand as Sienna stared at it, feeling the fear deep inside her heart. As she stepped forward, Sienna took Wong's hand, following him through the portal to Kamar-Taj.

For the first month, Sienna watched the stars from Kamar-Taj, stubbornly believing that her parents would come home. Half of the world had ended up lost in the Blip, but Sienna's parents had been in space, so they would come home.

And Sienna kept telling herself that, again and again.

"You must be Sienna."

Hearing the familiar voice, Sienna stilled from where she sat on the wall of the courtyard of Kamar-Taj. As her head quickly turned, her eyes fell on Tony Stark, instantly recognising him, despite how frail he seemed.

"Y-You're..." Sienna stumbled.

"A massive fan of you," Tony confessed, causing Sienna's heart to pound, finding the emotions swirling inside her too mixed up to even react. Taking a seat next to her, Tony's head turned to meet the girl's gaze. "Your mom told me all about you, kid."

"She did?" Sienna whispered.

"Your dad too," said Tony. "But he didn't really like me."

"Daddy never has," Sienna said.

There was a lingering question as Sienna stared at Tony with hooded eyes, but she was too scared to ask. Above Tony, the stars sparkled, but not for Sienna. For her parents, Sienna forced herself to be braver.

"Where are my mom and dad?"

The question was met with silence as Sienna kept her eyes on Tony.

"Your parents loved you—"

"That's not an answer," Sienna replied, frowning. "Where are they?"

"They disappeared with the Blip," Tony told her. "We fought hard, but we lost."

Sienna felt the tears trickle down her cheeks, but she had known. Even at seven, she knew that Tony being here was nothing but bad news.

"You're Iron Man," Sienna whispered.

"I know," Tony replied, taking the blame.

Standing up, Sienna faced Tony as she held his stare. Her hands were curled into tight fists, unable to control her emotions.

"You're not supposed to lose," Sienna told him.

"I can't bring them back, but you'll be okay, kid," Tony said. "I promise you."

"I don't want your promises!" Sienna shouted.

The mention of a promise caused her to break. Not long ago, Sienna's mom had promised to always come home, and now she was gone. Before that, her dad had promised to never leave again... and was now gone too.

And it was all Iron Man's fault.

Because he had come home when they hadn't.

"I hate you," Sienna snapped at him.

"Sienna," said Wong, appearing behind the child.

Broken from the anguish, Sienna faced him as the anger faded to grief. Wong was there — the only one now — to try picking up the pieces, but his comfort was foreign and not wanted.

All Sienna wanted was her parents.

Though, that night while she slept, Sienna found herself in a parking lot of a city that was perhaps another world away. America had a hidden spot in the corner that she had set up a small camp in, where she woke to find Sienna.

"Sienna, what's happened?" America questioned.

"They're gone," whispered Sienna.

And then she burst into tears with America there to hold her.

Because America understood as she had lost her parents too.

☆

FIVE YEARS LATER

☆

At Yamdroktso Lake in Tibet, a twelve-year-old girl was alone and not at home sleeping as she was supposed to be. A telescope had been set up and Sienna had a notebook open, as well as a sketchbook as she documented the stars.

Above her, the milky way was bright, blossoming in its ivory-white with hues of dark blue, purple, and pink. Sienna used the Mystic Arts to light a small flame in her hand as she drew, becoming enchanted by the sights.

During her grief, the stars had been a curse to begin with. Sienna had lost her parents within the stars, but they had also vowed on the stars to come home. But, the anger had turned to hope, encouraging Wong to purchase Sienna's first telescope, which sparked a love for astrology.

So, Sienna had found two new homes — one within Kamar-Taj, but another in the stars above her. Slowly, Sienna was learning the magic during the day and at night, she was discovering the stars.

One day, Sienna would find a way to bring her parents back.

But, hearing a portal, Sienna sighed.

"Sienna Marie Strange!" Wong's angry voice appeared.

"I wondered how long it would be until you found me," Sienna said in greeting.

"This is the last strike, Sienna," Wong decided as Sienna rolled her eyes. "You're grounded."

"You can't ground me," Sienna told him.

"Oh, I can," Wong huffed.

"You're not my dad," Sienna snapped at him.

"If your dad was here, then he'd have killed you himself," Wong said. "Unfortunately, you have me."

Snapping his fingers, Sienna's telescope vanished.

"Wong!" Sienna shouted.

"And I want your Sling Ring," Wong held out his hand. "Don't make me take it from you."

"I need it for training tomorrow," Sienna argued, not giving it to him.

"You can have it just for training," said Wong. "I have been lenient with you when it comes to the rules I've set, Sienna, but you've crossed the line now. If your parents knew that I let you train in the Mystic Arts—"

"But they're not here!" Sienna's voice rose as she stood. "All I did was sneak out to look at the stars."

"In the middle of the night without telling anyone and alone," Wong told her. "You're twelve, Sienna, and not invincible. Ring, now."

Sienna let out a huff, handing over the ring to Wong before she walked back through the portal that had been left open. There was a frantic atmosphere in Kamar-Taj as many were awake, looking for Sienna, where she now received a few looks of relief and anger.

Ignoring them, Sienna had gone to her bedroom and she slammed the door shut.

Deep down, Sienna knew she was being unfair to Wong, who had taken her in when Sienna had no one. But, it wasn't like Wong could give Sienna up either, not when she shared a similar power to her mom that was unknown.

And, when she was younger, no one had told Sienna that her dreams were real.

America was not an imaginary dream friend. Somewhere, in another universe, America Chavez was lost, jumping through the universes with only Sienna there to keep her company when she slept.

Being together had been a blessing for the two, who had struggled with the loss of their parents. But, each night, it became harder for Sienna to sleep as insomnia kept her awake.

As she lay down, the stardust necklace around her neck remained, but it had lost its magic. Sienna no longer wished upon the stars as she knew her wishes would never come true.

But, Sienna would not wait on the make-believe — one day, she would bring her parents home.

☆

It was like a breath of fresh air; one minute Talia had been suffocating and now she was returning, finding the air again. Just like all those times when Talia died or glitched, she always found her way back to reality again.

Gasping, Talia's eyes lowered, finding Davina sitting upright with her stomach healed.

"Oh my God, Davina," said Talia, pulling the teenage girl into her arms.

Around them, Mantis, Drax, and Quill had appeared as the three reunited together.

"How?" Talia questioned.

"I'm not sure, but I think fear makes me lose control," Davina explained. "Coming back, I was more confused than anything, but I could adapt myself to heal."

Overwhelmed by that, Talia hugged her again, finding her eyes watery with relief.

"Talia?"

Hearing Stephen's name, Talia pulled away as her body twisted, eyes spotting her husband. Everything about him was as it had just been; the thin cuts on his face and the worn expression of having just fought a battle.

"Stephen," Talia whispered his name.

Maybe the confusion of what was happening was enough to diffuse the anger Talia had felt perhaps moments ago. Desperately, Talia reached for him as his hands found her waist, pulling his wife towards him.

There was a lingering moment as Stephen's forehead rested against Talia's. The two were lost for words, overwhelmed with the relief that they had found their way back to each other again.

Stephen smiled. "I love you."

"I love you more," said Talia, voice so quiet, so full of love and joy to be with him again. "Stephen, I don't understand. What's going on?"

Behind them, everyone was back together. Peter was crying as he held onto Davina, drowning in his emotions of losing and getting her back all at once. But, Talia also noticed that two were missing — Tony Stark was gone.

"Darling, our final fight starts now," Stephen told her.

"Sienna?" Talia questioned, finding her name bittersweet to speak at that moment.

There was so much love for her daughter, so much desperation to see her, but also the fear that everything wasn't as it seemed. Something felt wrong, but Talia was clueless.

And as she pulled back to see Stephen's face, he couldn't meet her gaze.

"Stephen," Talia pleaded, holding onto his arms for support. "Tell me."

"It was the only way, Talia," said Stephen, needing her to know. "Thanos won; he snapped his fingers and half of the universe vanished."

"But we're back..."

"It's the final fight," Stephen repeated himself. "But it's been five years."

Talia felt her heart cramp up, unknowing what she wanted the answer to her next question to be. "Sienna?"

"Didn't disappear during the snap," Stephen told her, trying to keep the words gentle, but Talia felt the blow of them. "Our Sienna is five years older now."

Talia pulled away from Stephen as her hands trembled from the shock, unknowing how she was supposed to feel. A part of her was relieved that her daughter had been spared, but the time was far too cruel.

Her sweet little girl, who was now on the verge of being a teenager.

And Talia had missed it all.

It was a strange, brutal form of grief as Talia mourned for those lost years.

Stephen stepped closer to his wife again as he wrapped his arms around her, being the only one to know the pain that Talia was going through. Talia's hand found his, clinging onto it as if it was her life support. His head lowered, lips on her head, where the touch lingered, holding Talia as she struggled to control her emotions.

But, Stephen had known, and it had been their only chance.

"We will see her," Stephen promised. "But we have to save the universe first. It's not over yet, Talia."

Knowing that, Talia took a deep breath as she pulled herself together. They had to get through this last bit just to get home to Sienna again and then Talia would face the reality.

"What's the plan?" Talia questioned.

Stephen looked over to the group that had all become silent, looking towards Stephen to lead them, or to at least explain what was going on. Everyone was freaking out, hearing pieces of their conversations, but they also knew it was not the end.

☆

A plan was in motion: the final fight was about to take place, but whoever was left of the Avengers was outnumbered, needing all the additional help they could get. So, with that, Talia and Stephen had split up to spread the word.

"Talia," Stephen caught her hand before she left. "If you see Sienna... tell her that I love her, okay? Tell her that I had no choice. That I did it to save her."

Talia cupped his cheek, placing a kiss on the other side. "I'll tell her, but I'd rather not see her until we're finished."

Stephen nodded. "I'll see you soon, Darling."

"I'll see you on the battlefield," Talia promised.

Then, Talia ended up glitching back to Earth, finding the whole process a little strange with how far her magic could stretch. But, realistically, glitching within the same universe was easier compared to travelling between different universes.

Appearing in the courtyard within Kamar-Taj, many jumped upon Talia's abrupt arrival. The area was busy, perhaps with lost souls returning, where the outside had become a sanctuary. Sorcerers and Sorceresses had been reunited; many were in tears and supporting each other.

But, at Talia's arrival, there was a shock as the majority was clueless about her power.

"Talia," Wong had spotted her, staring at her in disbelief. "You're back."

Talia reached for Wong, longing for a reunion, but their time was limited. "Wong, this is not the end," she told him. "We're still needed to face Thanos and his army."

"Tell me when and where," Wong demanded. "And we'll be there."

So, Talia told Wong as much as Stephen had explained. It was a fight that was happening right now, so they needed to be quick. Stephen's plan insisted on the Sorcerers of the Mystic Arts creating portals to join the Avengers at the Avengers Headquarters, where the fight was happening.

"Then we have no time to waste," said Wong.

"Exactly, so let's tell the Sorcerer Supreme," Talia insisted.

Wong smiled at that. "He already knows."

Talia was a little speechless for a second before she smiled, knowing there was so much she had to catch up on. A time ago, Stephen had been considered, and now Talia was relieved that the opportunity wouldn't be handed to her husband.

Respectfully, Talia bowed towards the Sorcerer Supreme before Wong had taken charge, shouting orders about to get the plan in motion. The Sorcerers would spread the word, heading throughout the world to make the call for help, joining Stephen as he gathered as many heroes as they could.

"Mom?"

Talia froze, eyes popping wide.

The voice was so different, yet still her baby too.

And it took everything in Talia to turn to look at her daughter.

Sienna stood within the crowd, staring at Talia with large, broken eyes. Already, she was so much taller with her face changing, becoming more maturer than the small sweetheart face she had once had. Her hair was cut into a wavy bob with the long dark locks gone.

But, worst of all, Sienna was in apprentice robes.

"Sienna?" Talia whispered, the name breaking just like Talia's heart.

There was only silence from Sienna, who was in shock, sinking in her own emotions. Talia stepped towards her daughter, hands rising to cup her cheek as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Oh, Sweetheart," said Talia, unable to stop the tears. "Look at you."

"You were gone," Sienna whispered.

"I came home," Talia told her. "I told you I would always come home to you."

"You're just a bit late," said Sienna, unknowing if she should laugh or cry.

"Just a bit," Talia agreed, laughing too, though she was crying.

Then, Sienna fell into her mom's arms with Talia feeling the wet stain of tears as she held onto her little girl, who was no longer small. It was everything, but it was devastating too.

"I love you," Talia told her. "We love you. Your dad, he has so much to say to you, but we gotta go, Sienna. We have to save the world."

"Then I'm coming with you," Sienna decided.

"No, you're not," Talia was stern.

"You're staying here, Sienna," Wong told the child.

"No, I can help—"

Talia's heart ached as a portal appeared behind them that moved forwards, placing them into a bedroom rather than the courtyard. For a brief second, Talia's eyes lingered on the room, taking in the scattered drawings on the walls of stars.

"Wong, no," Sienna pleaded.

"Kid, you know it's for the best," Wong said. "If anything happens to you, I'll never forgive myself."

"Don't go," Sienna begged them. "Please. Not again."

"I'll be right back," Talia promised, placing a kiss on her daughter's head. "We'll all be back, Sweetheart. You'll see."

Wong's hand was on Talia's arm, pulling her backwards.

"No," Sienna decided. "Wong, you said I'm picking it up quickly. I can help. I can save you."

"Keep Kamar-Taj safe then," Wong told her.

Then, the portal was moving with Talia and Wong appearing on the other side of the bedroom door. On the wooden door, hands pounded against it as Sienna cried, begging for them to let her go.

Talia stared at the door, feeling her heart shatter.

On either side of the door with them, were two Sorcerers, who looked as if they were stood guard to protect Sienna.

"Talia, this is the only time I've locked the door," Wong reassured her. "If I don't, she'd be stubborn enough to come after us."

Talia's eyes were on him, unknowing what to say. "Can she get out?"

"No, it's a spell much like your house," explained Wong. "The door will only open if we both die; a spell Stephen would be able to figure out too. I'll be leaving a few trusted guards to watch over her."

"Does Sienna not have a Sling Ring?" Talia questioned.

Wong shook his head. "I had to confiscate it when I grounded her."

Talia frowned. "Grounded her?"

"That child is so angry at the world," Wong explained. "I... I've tried my hardest, but I could have done better. I had all the magic in the world, but not the magic she wanted to bring you both back."

"But you let her train in the Mystic Arts?"

"Sienna wanted to feel safe."

Talia was shocked. "You really looked after her?"

"Of course I did," said Wong. "Even when she hated me like I'm sure she does again now. I'll tell you about the grounding later; she's a true wonder with her fascination with the stars, but she's determined to give me a heart attack."

Talia wasn't sure her heart could even handle what was happening. It was bizarre to even hear that Wong was parenting her child, but Talia felt wrecked.

Behind the door, Sienna was crying, broken and struggling as a result of losing two parents so abruptly as she had. Now, Talia had come back into her life, only forced to leave again.

"Talia, we have to go," Wong reminded her.

"I know," whispered Talia as her hand remained on the door, hoping Sienna knew how much she loved her. "Let's go save the universe."

And then Talia would save her daughter.

☆

Sienna was so sweet and now she's so angry, it's so heartbreaking!😭 But I'm so sad for Tony too! I just couldn't wait to write this chapter.