Chapter 12

Iris spent the next few days helping Heather recuperate. She was glad that her friend was OK. But couldn't help but think that something was amiss with her friend. As the pair had grown up together, she knew when Heather was hiding something. Yet she was a bit hesitant to ask her especially after she had woken up.

On the other hand, Sina spent most of her time trying to find the rest of the Purifiers. The device they had was making it difficult for Iris to use her powers freely. This might complicate things when they have to assault the vampire lair in the following month. So far, she had managed to take down smaller groups littered around the city, a total upto 20. She also found that the groups were mostly concentrated near the Lincoln National Park, near Jonathan's House with all but proved that they were hired by him.

Heather meanwhile, was not having the best days. Agent Hill had ordered her to monitor Iris. This put a bad taste in Heather's mouth. Especially since Iris only came on their radar because of her. She still remembered Hill's words.

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"As your first assignment, I want you to monitor Miss Griffith"

"Why? Can't you do that yourself?" Heather sneered.

"We can but it might attract other " interested" parties or even alert those who gave Iris the evidence." Hill said as before looking up from the tablet. Seeing Heather's conflicted expression she sighed and said." Heather, you will find that this arrangement would benefit the all parties involved. I can say with absolute certainty that Iris didn't approach this group. Which means they know her secret as well. Moreover, you think they would have helped her for free? They want something from her. Wouldn't you prefer to keep that group at arms length if they ever became a threat? "

Heather grinned and asked." Is that why you aren't approaching Iris? "

" Yes."

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The worst thing about those were, that Hill was right. Who knows what kind of people were assisting Iris. She had to know. And S.H.I.E.L.D could help her do just that. The problem is, could she trust them. What was keeping then from capturing both of them once this was over? Her task was clear to her. She needed leverage against S.H.E.I.L.D incase they go back on their words. And she had to find this group before they can.

...

After the attack by the Purifiers, Iris has yet to use her powers again. She could only wait until Sina found it before launching a counterattack. In the meantime, she was helping Heather, or attending school and reading up about vampires as she was still determined for the attack on the vampire lair in the coming month.

As for her school life, something weird has been happening around the school specifically to Laura. As long as Iris had known her, Laura was a shy, nerdy girl much like Iris before her transformation. However, recently she had started to wear "girly" clothes, put on make-up and stopped wearing glasses. The change would not have been weird if it weren't for how fast it happened.

Moreover, Iris began feeling that she was been watched. Whether she was at school, or at the hospital, or even the hospital. She wanted to use her plants to catch the culprit but she was afraid that it might alert the Purifiers.

After finishing school for the day, Iris was about to walk home when she heard a familiar scream. It was Laura. Iris began running toward the screams. She eventually came up to an empty room. She saw Laura lying on the floor face down. She immediately sprinted to her and turned her over only to her start turning to ash. Before Iris could comprehend what was happening, She suddenly felt a hand grab her leg and pull it. She fell on the ground and turned to see a pitch black hand drag her into a portal. Inside she was met with a kaleidoscope of different colors and was attacked by an invisible force as the arm dragged her deeper. Despite her efforts, she started to feel her consciousness fleeting. At least, that was until a bright light cut through the arm. The last thing she saw before she completely lost her consciousness was a man wearing a red cloak.

...

Iris woke up with the mother of all headaches. It didn't help that most of her vision was obscured by the blinding light.

"Hey you. You're finally awake." Iris jumped as she heard someone. She turned to see a middle aged man with a goatee wearing a red cloak.

"Who are you? What do you want with me?" Iris demanded. "That's no way to talk to your savior." the man replied with a smirk. Iris remembered how she was dragged into a portal by a shadowy hand and being saved by this man.

"So what's you name?" Iris asked. The man glanced at Iris before replying. "It's Strange".

"Oh come on can't be stranger than some of the names I heard."

The man quickly turned around. "No no. I mean, my name is strange."

Iris waved her hand and said. " Oh come on don't be shy. I won't laugh I promise." I once met some one named North West. I didn't make a peep. "

The man sighed before flicking his wrist. The next moment, a drivers license appeared out of thin air and stopped in front of Iris. Iris looked at and it read "

Dr. Steven Strange"

Realisation hit her as she said. "Oh. Your actual name is Strange"

The man nodded. Iris surveyed her surroundings. And realised that she was no longer on Earth. How can she be sure? Most of the plants in the surrounding are glowing in an ethereal color. And none or them were of any species Iris is familiar with.

Iris couldn't help but whistle. "Wow where are we?" Strange chuckled as he replied. "This is remnant from the garden of Eden." Iris looked at him with an incredulous expression. "You're kidding me." Strange shook his head. "So like is the forbidden tree here as well?" Iris asked.

"Nope"

"OK.... so what happend back there. What was that thing?"

"That was a demon. My guess is that someone wanted to abduct you using it."

"Why?"

Strange sighed as he looked at Iris. "Girl you have no idea what you are capable of. Your body oozes arcane power like an overflowing cup. There are beings who would wage wars over you. Powerful godlike beings."

"Arcane as in magic?"

"Yes."

"..... Are you sure because I'm pretty sure I'm a mutant."

"Is that really what you think?" strange asked.

"Well yes. I got my powers from falling into a vat of chemicals. There was no magic involved."

"Or perhaps they served as a catalyst to activate your magic."

"Doubtful. Also I'll have you know that the purifiers were able to find me using their machines. Meaning I do intact have the X gene."

"Well who says you can't have both?"

"...."

"...."

"....."

"..."

Iris let out a sigh. "OK let's say i do have magic. What does that have to do with that demon?"

"Whoever summoned that demon wants your power. You know even I, the Socerer Supreme doesn't have such a vast magic ability."

"OK. So um would you mind sending me back to Earth. I have a curfew."

"No need to worry about that. This piece of the garden lies in a realm outside of dimensions. Time moves differently here. 1 month here is merely 10 minutes on Earth."

"OK that's cool. But I'd still rather leave."

"Kids these days. So impatient. You know I'd have thought you'd want to stay for a while considering the exotic plants."

Iris froze as she remembered the plants. She wondered what kind of boons these plants would give her should she consume them.

"OK fair point. But why are you so relaxed. What if the demon comes back?"

Strange looked at her. " I'm counting on it."

Iris had a shocked expression as she asked. "Why?"

"It's the only way I'll know who had summoned it. Once it's master realizes I am here. He will come here personally."

"I see" Iris nodded as she understood strange's plan. Truth be told, she was curious as well. Moreover, it was best if she nipped this problem as soon as possible. She was having enough troubles back in Earth. She didn't want another. Especially not a supernatural one.

"Alright ill take a look around." Iris said as she walked towards the plants.

"Keep her company." Strange whispered and his cloak suddenly began levitating off his back. It then floated up to Iris and gave her a curtsy. Iris though shocked returned the curtsy with a smile before examining the plants.

....

By her estimate, Iris had taken over 5 days to fully explore most of the garden. She had found plants with effects she couldn't even imagine. This includes plants that emit a bright light like a flash bang, which blinded Iris for a few good hours. A plants bearing leaves as tough as kevlar. I plant that releases a pheromone that makes insects attack those who affected by it. The rest of the plants consisted of medicinal herbs and normal fruit trees with an ethereal glow. Iris felt herself become stronger with each plant she ate.

As she resumed her trek, she suddenly felt an unknown force beckoning her. It came from a thicket Iris had not yet explored. As she ventured inside, the force became stronger until she stopped in front of what was emitting it. She was surprised to see a nearly wilting petal in the midst of the plants. She picked it up and began examining it. On a cursory glance, it didn't look special. But Iris could feel something calling for her from the petal.

While she wanted to consume it, she wanted to know what it was before she did so. She called the cloak and asked to send her to Strange. The cloak wrapped itself around her and began levitating. It then started flying towards Strange. The journey Iris took 5 days on foot was completed in 5 hours with the help of the cloak.

As she arrived, she was met with strange sitting cross-legged and meditating. She waited a while before calling him. As Strange opened his eyes, Iris showed him the petal and Strange could only stare at with wide eyes. He then turned to Iris and said. "That is a petal from the Ebon Rose."

"What is that?" Iris asked.

"A rose that is directly connected to Gaea's children. It is said if one eats even a single petal, he would be able to communicate with Gaea's children both flora and fauna."

"So.... What should I do?" Iris asked as she hungrily stared at the petal.

"Eat it. It might help you. However it seems that petal has started to wilt after eons of being separated from the rose. It will not be as strong as a a fresh petal." Strange explained.

"Doesn't matter. I'll take any help I can get." Iris said before swallowing the petal. The next moment, she began to hear voices. Much like the night she was almost killed. Iris clutched her head due to pain as she tried to block the voices. After what seemed like hours, the voices finally subsided.

Iris looked at Strange with a victorious smile only to find him looking at the sky. "It's too early to celebrate. It seems our guests are here." he said ominously.