What If Season 3 - What If... The Emergence destroyed the Earth? Thoughts
"Let's begin near the end. The final act of a tragic story. When you've seen as many wars as I have, you get used to it. The hard part is watching worlds fall that don't need to because a hero can no longer rise to meet their moment. But I swore an oath. And so I watch. In every variation of this universe, Riri Williams is its last best hope. But in every one I've watched, no matter how hard she fights, and how long she struggles, she always fails. Always... Welcome to Earth. What's left of it anyways." Uatu
This might be the most emotional episode of the entire season so far. Yet again, another peak episode and my personal favorite episode of the season so far. It’s a testament to the team this season and further shows how much of a shame it is to see What If end (for now). This episode's Riri Williams is a great focus character and I can't wait to see her in her own show in 2025. Even in the bleakest universes and situations destined to end in tragedy, all it takes is one bit of encouragement to break through and emerge to bring hope.
This is a pretty bleak setting and it's all because the Emergence just so happened to take place before Etenrals. The Iron Federation feels like a corrupted dream of Tony Stark with the Iron Legion suits around the world (or in this case the remnants of the world). There’s concept art released for What If S3’s promotional material which suggests Strange was able to save parts of Earth.
Riri Williams continues to fight even in a universe where everyone she knows and loves is dead. The fight is all she has left. It's hard for people to still try to hope and fight when even the few survivors you connect with perish. Even with her wit and sass in the episode (they did a great job of capturing that from her depiction in the movie), you can tell she's barely hanging onto hope for a better world. However, as Uatu will showcase himself, all it takes is to show someone they're not alone.
I hadn't expected Quentin Beck to be the main antagonist of a universe like this but man it was such a great idea. I really love how this episode really showcases how much of an egotistical narcissist asshole he really is to the point he would let himself die quicker by putting all those Nanites in his body. Peter and this universe's Riri really need to interact at some point and bond over dealing with Quentin Beck.
Also, I really hated Sharon Carter after she's been revealed to be the Power Broker, so it'll be nice to see that she got karma in at least one universe.
It's really nice to see Ying Nan again and I can't wait to see Shang-Chi once again in the next episode which hopefully will be a lot more lighthearted than this episode. I love this episode but I need a bit of lighthearted plot after the bleak story of this episode.
The Alliance mook deaths caused by White Vision are very brutal and disturbing to see. I was not expecting the disturbing and bloody imagery of the deaths of Riri's team at the end.
Tony Stark would be proud of Riri Williams for building a weapon in less than 7 minutes capable of killing White Vision. She built this in a broken-down ship... with a box of scraps!
Whoever came up with the idea of Riri Williams to go against Quentin Beck deserves a raise. It's a great idea to pair someone who has the intellect of Stark and creates Iron Man suits to go against Mysterio.
I really love how Riri's new suit is basically making her the Vision with Iron Man/Ironheart suit aspects of her universe.
They reused Infinity Ultron's theme (fittingly with Beck's monologue of how he controls the tech of White Vision and the specific track is Fascinating) and some footage of the Red Room Task Force in Episode 3 (They used the same models and animations but they changed the background with one shot at the very least). Brock Rumlow also appeared in the episode during White Vision's attack, so not sure if that's just reused footage or simply they reused his model.
The contrast of the Watcher between S1 Episode 8 and this episode is massive. Two equally similar bleak scenarios where no matter what the heroes do, it won't be enough to stop Ultron or in this case Quentin Beck both of which use and are made up of Stark tech. For Infinity Ultron, the Watcher treats it like yet another sad scenario but one he cannot intervene (until Infinity Ultron becomes a Multiversal threat). But here, he makes it clear how fucking tired he is of seeing the same outcome and is tired of not being able to do anything...so he intervenes by giving Riri encouragement to fight. The Watcher's character arc really presents itself here as a Multiversal cosmic being becoming so attached that no he can longer just simply stand and abide by bleak scenarios where they repeat endlessly.
The imagery and cinematography in this episode go so hard, especially with Riri forming the Avengers symbol at the end becoming a literal light in the darkness that is the post-Emergence Earth. Bravo to the artists of this episode and the season.
The three Watchers, the Eminence, the Incarnate, and the Executioner have stacked voice casting: Jason Isaacs (Admiral Zhao and the Grand Inquisitor), D.C. Douglas (Rayvis), and Darin de Paul (Who also voiced Zeus last episode but also Ardyn of FF15) respectively. It's going to be interesting to see what finally causes the three to finally try to put an end to the Uatu's interventions.
This is definitely one of the best episodes and emotional ones as well. A peak episode in short. It really showcases how even in the darkest of settings, one person can truly still bring a little light back to the universe. It also showcases Riri's character in a new light given the change of settings and circumstances. It's a strength of What If: we get to see characters act or change with their different circumstances. It also showcases how the Multiverse Saga needs to spend more time with the characters it introduces rather than just introduce them and then not use them until years later as we learn more about the case in the episodes than in the main MCU right now. This episode is what Marvel Zombies should've been in my opinion. They also really need to release the score of every episode like S1. Laura Karpman and Nora deserve all the praise for their work in this episode, the season, and the show as a whole.
Note: Unfortunately, this episode does break the huge creature or person towers over someone trend of the last four episodes... however, we did get Tiamut's emergence so technically it might count.
"I see through your reality... And I'm shutting it down." Riri Williams
"I am the master of illusions! I can make it like your little victory never happened. The people will never know." Quentin Beck
"They will because I'm going to give them a vision of the future." Riri Williams
smut under the cut. just warning you. if you don't want to read, you don't have to :)
also tagging @loveisanimaginarydagger3000 in this because I used two of her prompts (“This is wrong.” “So wrong.” and “Is this ok?” As they stare up at you from in between your legs.)
teacher/student relationships (the sexual kind) usually give me the icks but at the same time... Stephen and Wong are both grown men who can make their own desicions. Stephen knows he can say no at any time and Wong will stop. so. but I will probably never write this kind of smut again.
it is all consensual though. because consent is hot and sexy.
smut ahoy!!
Pushed up against the wall in Master Wong's office, being kissed deeply by said Master Wong, was not an experience Stephen expected to have when he came to Kamar-Taj to fix his hands.
In fact, he had even thought that the order was celibate for a good few months until Master Wong told him otherwise the first time Stephen asked about having sex. Which was, for the record, an incredibly awkward conversation and he hadn't even enjoyed the sex after his hands flared up halfway through it and put a stop to the whole event.
He hadn't even thought about sex afterwards, but with Master Wong's tongue practically down his throat, Stephen was definitely thinking about sex.
Stephen moaned as Master Wong pressed his body against him. Stephen could feel his strength, the warmth of his body, and the prominent erection pressing into his own.
Stephen wasn't even sure how it came to this. Sure, he was attracted to Master Wong, and yes, he dreamed about what Master Wong's cock would feel like inside of him, and yes, he imagined Master Wong naked when his back was turned, but.. this was wrong. Master Wong was his teacher, and he... this wasn't right.
But Vishanti, did he want this.
Master Wong pulled away, breathing heavily. His dark brown eyes darkened with lust as he ran his hands down the front of Stephen's robes. Stephen shivered, his eyes fluttering shut.
"This is wrong..." Stephen whispered.
Master Wong exhaled in front of him. "So wrong." He agreed as he slid to his knees in front of Stephen, "but I see the way you look at me, and trust me, I look at you the same way."
Stephen shivered at the low rumbling of Master Wong's voice. "I want you, Stephen Strange."
"And if I say no?" Stephen whispered, pressing his shaking hand against the wall.
"I will stop and wait until you are ready. Even if it takes years." Master Wong murmured, stroking Stephen's hip with a callused thumb.
"What if... what if I want you too?"
Master Wong smiled. "Then I will fuck you."
"Oh." Stephen breathed out. He opened his eyes and looked down. Master Wong, between his legs, was a sight to behold. Stephen moved his hand to Master Wong's hair, just letting it rest there.
Master Wong ran his hands down Stephen's thighs, then up again, stopping at the waist of his pants. "Is this okay?" He asked, gently.
Stephen swallowed. He knew that if he said no, Master Wong would stop. If he pushed him away, Master Wong would respect the unspoken boundary. But Stephen didn't want Master Wong to stop. He wanted, needed, Master Wong like a drowning man needed air.
Slowly, he nodded.
He gasped when Master Wong pulled down his pants, moaning quietly when he felt warm breath on the head of his leaking cock.
Summary: Every Sorcerer Supreme has an anchor. Someone whose magic is compatible with theirs, ensures that he is additionally protected and prevents him from falling prey to evil forces. You grew up in Kamar-Taj and studied the Mystic Arts there, but then you traveled the world looking for a more quiet life, a life away from magic and superheroes. When you return and meet the new Sorcerer Supreme, it soon becomes clear that you share a special connection.
Tags: Slow Burn, Reader is a master of the Mystic Arts, Magic!Reader, spells and magic, this is a cute one
Read it on AO3 | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter
Chapter's Notes: I‘m very busy with work but here‘s the next chapter. Beta by @portia77. Thank you!
Chapter 2: Back home
You use the Ancient One’s Sling Ring to take you to the nearest Sanctum, the one in New York. Since you've been gone so long, you decide to be polite and open the portal in front of the building.
For now, you leave your suitcases in your apartment. You can still pick them up later.
As soon as you enter the streets of the big city, the background noises change and you hear the sounds of cars, construction work and sirens. You step aside a bit to stay out of the way of the people walking around you. This is very different from the town you just came from.
Without having to knock, the door of the Sanctum Sanctorum opens automatically as you step closer, and you enter.
It’s cooler here, and the lights are dim. Immediately you have the feeling of being home once again. Although you had been here just a few times in your youth, the hall was still so familiar, although surprisingly quiet today.
"Hello? Master Drumm?" you ask into the silence.
Usually there were always Mystic Arts students helping out or studying here.
Weird.
From somewhere on the second floor you hear a noise and walk up the stairs. At the top, you have a straight view to the large, round sealed window.
To your left side are relics on display, and that’s where you turn. You might as well look around a bit while you wait.
Finally, you hear a voice from next door and footsteps approaching. You look up as someone steps out of a corridor on the opposite side.
"What d’you want now? I don't think…", the person quietly grumbles to himself, but then he sees you and dons a neutral expression. "Good afternoon, I didn't realize we had visitors. Welcome."
He’s a middle-aged man, quite tall and with dark hair already slightly graying on the sides. He carries a rather cold aura about him, perhaps with a hint of pride that you dislike. You have never seen him before, but to your surprise he wears the Eye of Agamotto around his neck and the Cloak of Levitation on his shoulders. The latter rustles strongly and pulls him in your direction.
Respectfully, you bow in accordance with the old custom.
"Thank you. My name is Y/N L/N. I received an invitation and would like to speak to the Keeper of the Sanctum. Is it still Master Drumm?"
"I'm afraid not." The man shakes his head and once again pulls back an edge of the troubling cloak. "Behave yourself. You’re being rude. I don't know what's gotten into you", he scolds it, making you giggle. It’s just too funny to watch.
"If I may... I think it just wants to say hello." You hold out your hands, and the cape grabs them. "Yes, It’s nice to see you, too. Glad you found someone."
The cape returns your words with a rustle before it finally gets quiet. The man looks between you and you step back a bit again.
"Old acquaintance?" he asks.
"I used to care for it, along with a few other relics that were in the display cases,” you explain.
"Well, as far as your request goes, we're a little understaffed here right now, but I guess the keeper would be me, Doctor Stephen Strange. May I see that invitation of yours?"
You nod and are about to pull the ring from your fingers when you hear your name called somewhere behind you and turn around.
"Wong?"
The very same walks up to you, the slightest hint of a smile on his lips. Delighted, you go to meet him and he pulls you into a warm hug.
"It's good to see you. You've been gone a long time. Let me look at you." He pushes you at arm's length and looks at you. "You've grown well."
Laughing, you release yourself from your former master's grip.
"It's good to see you, too. Have you gained weight?"
Wong pats his stomach.
"The Americans' unhealthy food is to blame."
"Like your favorite place in the world isn't the sandwich shop down the street” Strange rejoins the conversation. He stands next to you with his arms crossed, seemingly not quite knowing what to make of yet more of your old acquaintances.
"They make the best sandwiches,” Wong agrees. "Come, Y/N, we’ll have tea. There are some things to talk about. Strange, I'll take her from here."
Before the doctor can object, Wong beckons you to follow. You offer another polite bow to Stephen Strange and then follow Wong into the old kitchen.
"So you got the letter,” Wong notices, glancing at the ring on your hand as you sit down at a small table.
"Yes, and it caught me quite off guard. How exactly did it happen?"
You get the promised tea and a rough overview of what's happened the last few years since you left. In the same turn, you tell a little about your travels.
"What are your plans now?" the master asks afterwards.
You shrug your shoulders.
"I'm not quite sure yet. I'll probably see where I'm most likely to be needed."
"Then you can stay right here. We’ve plenty to do."
"I'll think about it," you smile.
~~
It's late in the evening in New York when you step through a portal to Kamar-Taj, where the next morning had already dawned.
You see the temples, smell the dry but herbal-scented air, and you know you are home. Many memories come flooding back to you as you walk through the halls and you see some familiar faces brighten as they recognize you.
First and foremost is a pretty middle-aged strawberry-blonde woman who walks happily toward you.
"Y/N, I didn't expect to see you. When did you get back?"
"Hello Eloise", you greet her with a grin as you are pulled into her arms. You've known her since you were a child, and she often babysat you when your mother was busy. Like her, Eloise is an exquisite healer. "I just got here."
"Do you have time? Let's have some tea. You have to tell me what you did these last few years.”
You have no objections that could dissuade her from pulling you along. Laughing, you give in.
It's good to be home again.
You decide to stay in New York for now, because you don't want to give up Western civilization quite yet. You also like the more modern facilities there, especially the showers.
At the same time, you want to use the time to get back into your studies.
When you return to the Sanctum Sanctorum, you experience the same morning as in Kathmandu. You had forgotten how exhausting time zones can be. But since you are way too tired to go through another whole day, you take one of the free spare rooms Wong told you about. They’re simply furnished, but with everything that you need. Right now that would be a place to sleep.
In order not to completely fuck up your sense of time, you nap only for a few hours and are back on your feet in the afternoon. Hunger brings you into the kitchen to look for breakfast or lunch. As you do so, you run into Strange, who is making himself a large cup of tea.
"Morning”, he greets you briefly and without looking up.
"Doctor Strange”, you nod back politely, and set a plate of bread and fruit for yourself, sitting down at the small table.
Unlike yesterday, you are wearing the robes from Kamar-Taj now.
"So you're the new Sorcerer Supreme."
During your visit in the temple, you had heard all sorts of stories about the man who had actually been a doctor in his previous life.
"And you were the protégé of the ancient one,” he replies, now turning to you. "What's it like when you don't get the position you were trained for?"
His eyes are on you, challenging, but you know better than to get provoked by that. Instead, you raise an eyebrow.
"Scared I'm coming for the title?" you ask back.
"Should I be?"
A few seconds pass, during which you continue to eat your meal nonchalantly, before shaking your head.
"I haven't been interested in it for a long time. Maybe I would be again someday, but until there's a reason, I'm not going to fight for it. And since the job has just been filled…"
Strange seems to relax a bit after this explanation, but his cool aura remains. Maybe this was just his nature, you guess. Or maybe that came with the still fairly new responsibility of being the head of the Mystic Arts.
"How long will you stay with us?" he wants to know.
"If you don't mind,” you answer. “Wong said you could use an extra pair of hands."
It's more of a formality to ask the keeper of a sanctum for permission to stay, but your mother raised you to follow the old traditions.
"Sure. Then I won’t be the only one Wong is complaining about when stuff is lying around.”
"Oh, I’m on his side with this."
"In that case, your request is denied."
"I'm afraid it's too late for that. My luggage has already arrived."
During these last words, you raise your hand and create a horizontal portal in the air beside you. Its counterpart is on your old bedroom floor, and a second later your suitcase and a larger box fall through it onto the kitchen floor.
Strange is either amused by this or annoyed, you're not quite sure which.
"Great, now I’ve got two of these"” he mumbles, and leaves the room with his cup in his hands.
You finish your breakfast before moving a hand over your plate, making it appear neatly back in the kitchen cabinet before magically moving your things to your new room.
There’s a lot of controversy surrounding Master Wong and just how traditional his Wing Chun is, but he’s one of the few people showing how Wing Chun techniques apply to real-life situations.
His footing might be a little questionable and not very typical of Wing Chun (I’m not entirely sure) but his arm movements look pretty solid. He’s using a lot of nice blocks and then he steps in with a punch or a kick. Nice stuff.
