- "Every time you opened a portal, you sent us exactly where we needed to go."
"What about the first time?"
"Even that led you to this moment... When you're gonna kick that witch's ass." - ―Doctor Strange and America Chavez[src]
The Battle on Mount Wundagore was fought between the combined forces of Doctor Strange and Wong against Scarlet Witch in the Darkhold Castle on the peak of the ancestral Mount Wundagore.
Strange utilized dreamwalking to possess a deceased alternate Strange with the intent to rescue America Chavez before the Scarlet Witch could steal her supernatural powers to be reunited with her children. In the confrontation that occurred, Chavez was freed from Scarlet Witch's imprisonment, and helped Strange and Wong to defeat the Elder Beasts.
When Scarlet Witch came to realize her hubris under the Darkhold's influence proved too destructive and unworthy after seeing the effect she had on alternate versions of her children, she redeemed herself and destroyed all copies of the Darkhold across the multiverse in an act of sacrifice.
Background[]
- "This isn't what your children would want."
"They'll never know."
"Maybe not. But you will." - ―America Chavez and Scarlet Witch[src]
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Scarlet Witch engages in dreamwalking
Scarlet Witch was left alone with Wong and used her magic to bind him up back in the courtyard. She then used the Darkhold to begin the dreamwalking ritual, a ritual where she could transfer her consciousness to a counterpart of herself by using magic.
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Scarlet Witch dreamwalks in her Variant's body
She succeeded in possessing a counterpart of herself living on Earth-838 and became momentarily happy to be inside that universe's house with that universe's Tommy and Billy. They asked her to watch them perform a song and she, emotionally, watched them and smiled.
Scarlet Witch sees the destruction of Darkhold
However, she was stopped from the ritual when Sara Wolfe, one of the sorceresses, destroyed the Darkhold. Scarlet Witch watched as Wolfe was burnt to death from doing so and then looked at the Darkhold, now disintegrating. Scarlet Witch tried to maintain her possession, but since the Darkhold had been destroyed, the attempt was in vain and her consciousness was brought back to her own body. Angry that her children was gone, she released Wong and demanded to know where she could find another.
Wong refused, so in retaliation, Scarlet Witch went outside to the courtyard and prepared to kill Rintrah, Weasel, Vinny and Ariann. Wong, not wanting the deaths of the sorcerers, revealed that the Darkhold had copies and that it originated from Mount Wundagore. Scarlet Witch having heard of the place before, took a Sling Ring from one of the sorcerers and instructed Wong to open an Inter-Dimensional Portal and take them there.
Scarlet Witch arrives at Mount Wundagore
Scarlet Witch and Wong arrived through the Inter-Dimensional Portal on Mount Wundagore in Eastern Europe and found it to be snowing. When Scarlet Witch saw the Darkhold Castle on the top of the mountain on the other side of a gorge, she asked Wong why he didn't portal them closer. He informed her that they were as close as his magic would take them as the Masters of the Mystic Arts weren't made to be there.
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Scarlet Witch prepares to fight
Scarlet Witch then used her powers to fly herself and Wong over to the Castle. When they went inside, Wong explained that the spells were carved there by the demon Chthon, who had written the Darkhold. As Scarlet Witch lit fires in the Castle so they could see, they were ambushed by the Elder Beasts guarding it. Scarlet Witch and Wong prepared to fight them, only for them to kneel before Scarlet Witch. She watched in confusion and then saw that there was a Scarlet Witch statue behind an altar that she was standing on. Scarlet Witch then realized that this was a throne room for the Scarlet Witch and it was made for her.
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Scarlet Witch speaks with Wong
Wong questioned why she wanted to take America Chavez's power while she could just forcefully tell her to do her bidding; only for her to say it was for the sake of her children so she could protect them anytime they needed her, such as if they got sick. Wong got angry and questioned whether it wasn't enough knowing that her other counterparts were happy with their children. She replied with a no, before throwing Wong out of the castle. She then resumed the dreamwalking ritual.[1].[1]
Battle[]
Scarlet Witch sees Doctor Strange arrive
- "Dreamwalking, you hypocrite!"
"This time, it's gonna take more than killing me to kill me." - ―Scarlet Witch and Doctor Strange[src]
Scarlet Witch had successfully brought America Chavez to Earth-616. Scarlet Witch placed Chavez on the altar and began the spell to take her powers. Moments later, she was interrupted when Doctor Strange, in one of his counterpart's corpse, which had now become zombified, appeared before them. Scarlet Witch called Strange a hypocrite for using the dreamwalking ritual himself and struck him.
Scarlet Witch destroys the Souls of the Damned
Strange instead tossed the demons that had attacked him earlier onto her. She became frightened upon seeing the souls of the damned and struggled to fight them off. Wong then made his way back up and helped Strange contain her inside a spell with the demons. Meanwhile, Strange went to Chavez's side as she was content of having him take her powers. However, finally realizing that his controlling tendencies have consequences, Strange told Chavez that he wasn't here to take her powers but to encourage her as he told that she had control of her powers all along. Also, Strange told Chavez that every time she opened a portal she had the right destination and was going to use those powers to beat Scarlet Witch.
Scarlet Witch angrily attacks Doctor Strange
Scarlet Witch broke free and blasted the demons and Wong aside in extreme anger, using her powers against Strange and threatening to kill him. She restrained him, causing him to be immobilised to do anything. As she did, Scarlet Witch was caught off guard by Chavez, who was inspired by Strange's words as she learned to control her powers and realized the true meaning of being a hero, as she jumped off the altar and punched Scarlet Witch backwards.
Scarlet Witch prepares to kill America Chavez
Scarlet Witch glared at Chavez and gave a smirk, showing that she was more powerful. Chavez struck Scarlet Witch a few more times, sending her through portals until she brought her to Hel. As Scarlet Witch looked down the ledge at the dimension, she used her powers to stop Chavez and push her back. Chavez realized that she can't beat Scarlet Witch. Fortunately, Chavez knew who could beat the Scarlet Witch and bring Maximoff back from the Darkhold's influences. Chavez told Scarlet Witch that she would give her what she wanted, so she punched her again, sending her to Earth-838 inside the Vision Residence. Scarlet Witch grabbed Chavez by the throat and demanded to know what she did, only to see Tommy and Billy on the couch, running away from her in fright.
Scarlet Witch realizes what the evils of the Darkhold
She then witnessed her alternate self run down the stairs to comfort her boys. Scarlet Witch used her powers to move the couch aside and to blast her variant into the dining room causing her to fall onto the ground. Chavez wanted to intervene but Strange stopped her, which she understood. Tommy and Billy then began throwing their toys at Scarlet Witch, until she snapped at them to stop. They fled behind the staircase and she approached them, stating she was not a monster. As she saw their fear, she became emotional.
Scarlet Witch is consoled by her alternate self
Scarlet Witch then knelt down on the ground and began crying, having realized what the power of the Darkhold had done to her and having broken free from its possession. Scarlet Witch was approached by her counterpart who comforted her, reassuring her that her children would be loved. Chavez closed the portal and Maximoff broke down when she realized what she had done to her allies and friends.[1]
Aftermath[]
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Maximoff destroying the Darkhold Castle
- "That witch is gone. And all of the copies of the Darkhold with her."
- ―Rio Vidal to Agatha Harkness[src]
Realizing what needed to be done, Maximoff flew above the altar and prepared to destroy the Darkhold Castle while Doctor Strange told America Chavez to leave as she tells him that she'll find him. Chavez used her powers to open a portal for her and Wong to get to safety. Once Chavez and Wong were out of harm's way, Maximoff made peace with Strange and told him that it was her job to destroy the Darkhold and that nobody would be touched by its evil again. She then used her powers to destroy the Castle, breaking the Scarlet Witch statue, and destroying every copy of the Darkhold throughout the Multiverse. As she did, the Castle began to crumble and collapse on Maximoff. As the Castle crumbled, a red burst of magic flashed.
Strange woke up from his dreamwalking and told Christine Palmer what happened as they witnessed the Darkhold being destroyed right in front of them. Also, Strange and Palmer agreed that Maximoff did the right thing in the end. Strange then asked Palmer to stay with him, but she refused as she did not want to cause a problem within the Multiverse. Although, Palmer asked Strange what his universe was like as he told her that it was beautiful and hoped to take her there one day, which she would like. Strange confessed that he got scared, even though he wanted someone to care for and to do the same for him, Strange was encouraged to face his fears. Strange and Palmer then saw Chavez and Wong as they found them.
Doctor Strange and Wong overseeing the repairs of Kamar-Taj
They returned Palmer to her universe, and Strange and Wong watched over the repairs being done at Kamar-Taj. Also, Strange and Wong watched Chavez, who decided to stay in their universe with the two sorcerers looking after her, training her in magic. Strange then talked with Wong before going back to the New York Sanctum, but not before saying goodbye to Chavez as he expressed pride when she told him that she made some sparks and agreed with her when she told him that she was glad that she fell into his universe. During his time at home, Strange repaired the watch his Christine Palmer had given him and put it away.
Strange growing a third eye
While taking a walk, Strange grew a third eye as a side effect from using the Darkhold and dream walking into his counterpart corpse. However, Strange was able to get a hold of himself. During another walk, Strange was approached by a sorceress as she told him that he caused an incursion and needed to fix it. Wanting to fix his mistake, Strange accompanied the sorceress to the Dark Dimension.[1]
During Strange's absences, Wong watched over the New York Sanctum until he returned.[3]