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Post by Ysmir on Aug 12, 2020 10:43:26 GMT -7
"Impossible? I've learned never to use that word in my line of work."
Strange retracted his hand once he saw the fear of God in the robed mobster's eyes. He folded his hands in front of his waist and began pacing back and forth as he listened to Manfreddi's hastened explanations. Killings amidst thieves? Hardly information worth noting all on its own. The criminal business had an extremely low life expectancy and he suspect Julio's dealings were no different. At his question on whether or not the Doctor knew of Frank Castle, he simply nodded. But if Mr. Castle wished Manfreddi's associates gone, it would have happened already. And he doubted that the Punisher was well-versed enough in sorcery to sap the souls from unwitting human subjects. When Manfreddi explained further, Strange's brow raised. "Customers?", Strange repeated in question, stepping closer to Julio. "Customers for what?"Strange stepped forward when Manfreddi became tight-lipped. He sighed, sensing that the mobster would be comfortable saying no more. It seemed the time to play around was coming to a close. "If you won't speak any more, then you leave me no choice," Strange said in a resigned tone, and before Manfreddi had even a moment's time to respond, the aperture of the Eye of Agamotto opened and bathed his eyes in a brilliant white light. Strange outstretched his hand and let it hover in front of Manfreddi's face as the Sorcerer Supreme's telepathic abilities were amplified to unimaginable levels through the Eye's power. Manfreddi was caught in a hypnotic trance where he was conscious, but completely unaware of the world around him, like a waking dream. Strange began interfacing with the depths of his mind, attempting to draw out the memory of what he had been doing earlier that night, before the crowd arrived...
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Post by bio858 on Aug 12, 2020 15:43:03 GMT -7
Flashback back to the Beginning of this Story
Recalling the events prior to the horde of humans standing outside the apartment, Julio was simply sitting in his bathrobe, ready to party with the respective call girls he had brought over to his apartment. They were already in the bathtub, ready to "party" so to speak. Of course, the commotion outside would force Julio outside, bringing a pistol with him in the process.
"What the hell is going on outside officers?" He'd ask, hiding his gun underneath his robe.
Manfreddi would look on towards the crowd, sighting the various faces that all had a strange, blank stare upon their faces. He couldn't recognize all the faces, but there were some he could recall when he was out acting as enforcer for the street dealers of the respective "business" that he works for.
Playing guard-dog, he'd see some of the old customers that used to buy drugs from their own dealers, until that rival product came into town. Stardust, something that their own "business" was unable to reproduce. Some type of ingredient in the drug that none of them were able to reproduce, which adds to the addictive element to this strange new drug.
Of course, before he could ponder more on that, the rest of the events occurred, with the laser blasts to the escape to the police station. To of course, his current meeting with Dr. Strange. Speaking of the Doctor, he could spend a bit more time to examine the memories of Julio Manfreddi, but it would seem he'd get all the important information that he'd need to get started on his search.
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Post by Ysmir on Aug 13, 2020 9:28:20 GMT -7
"Impossible? I've learned never to use that word in my line of work."
To Strange, the memory played out like a film, a projection onto a screen in a theater where he was the only inhabitant. Strange's incorporeal form stood, removed from time and from space, in the mental planescape of what Julio Manfreddi had witnessed earlier. Strange walked through the memory, staring out the window for a moment at the gathering crowd that he had dispersed earlier. Turning to Julio, he heard a word amidst the rambling mobster's thoughts. Stardust.Stardust.Addictive ingredient... odd... can't reproduce...Then, before he could think further -- a knock at the door. The police, there to escort Mr. Manfreddi away from his impending doom. With the memory concluded, Strange pulled out from Julio's mind. To Julio, less than two seconds had passed since the bright, white light emitted from the Eye of Agamotto, the aperture of which now spiraled shut with its job done. Strange lowered his hand and crossed his arms. "Stardust," Strange repeated the word, eyes boring into Julio's. "What can you tell me about Stardust? Who produces it?"
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Post by bio858 on Aug 13, 2020 14:25:51 GMT -7
"You knew about that? I thought you Avenger types were too busy dealing with "World Ending" stuff to worry about what goes on in the streets."
He wasn't aware that Strange had just entered into his mind. From his point of view, he was just done talking with the sorcerer and was about to make his exit. With the officers in tow, he was now able to make his way to a proper safe house, away from the Superhero.
"Well, I'd love to help ya out Avenger, but I don't know nothin' about some Stardust. Good luck finding out who does though. I imagine there's people out there who'd pay good money on that info."
With that, Julio would hopefully exit out with the cops. It had been a long day, and he was not in a mood to talk with more with the Avenger. The guy gave him weird vibes, and he doubted the Boss could make some hires to take him out. Perhaps one day though. After all, there are a lot of those elite super types that take assassination jobs.
Turning back once he was with the two officers, he'd ask, "Stephen Strange is your name right? I'll make sure to remember it."
He attempted to end on that threatening sentence, as if to let Stephen know to watch his back.
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Post by Ysmir on Aug 13, 2020 22:27:43 GMT -7
"Impossible? I've learned never to use that word in my line of work."
He wouldn't grace the man with a response to any of his questions, simply eyeing him as he was escorted from the room by the two officers who Strange suspected were on his dirty payroll. Strange's mission was of no concern to a crook, especially one who was ruled by... carnal desires. With something resembling a lead and ever running time, Strange set his hands before his chest and channeled mystical energies to open a portal within the interrogation room. Stepping within it, the portal brought Strange through space and time to New York-Presbyterian Hospital -- his first place of employment -- where the dozens of unconscious and unresponsive bodies would have been brought for further examination. As not to cause a fuss by his sudden appearance, when Strange stepped from his portal away from prying eyes, he exited wearing the very same doctor's scrubs he once donned as a neurosurgeon. Strange found his way to where most of the hustle and bustle seemed to be directed. In the Intensive Care Unit, many of the prestigious hospital's most brilliant minds were hard at work trying to discover just what was afflicting these poor people who could not be roused from their sleep. And Strange they never would discover it. Not without his intervention. Slipping seamlessly past a group of nurses, Strange identified the head physician and moved closer to him. The Sorcerer Supreme stood to their side as they investigated readings from one of the victim's blood tests. "Any indication of what might have caused this so far?"
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Post by bio858 on Aug 14, 2020 14:42:02 GMT -7
The Doctor would enter into a ward filled to the brim with patients. Every single bed would have an unconscious person laid upon them, with nurses and doctors rushing to and fro in a rush to diagnose and treat the patients. Some beds would be moved out in order to get MRIs on each of these new patients, but the hospital was starting to get stacked with these poor individuals. It didn't help that tensions were raised, with the intense police and HAMMER presence outside the hospital, due to the superhuman aspect involved with the strange lasers that were protruding from the patients'eyes before they fell unconscious.
Back to the scene at hand, Stephen in his newly apparated attire, would speak to the Doctor who was sitting beside another patient that was hooked up to an IV drip. The Doctor was writing various details onto his clipboard, as Strange asked the man what they were able to find.
The doctor would quickly look back up at Strange for a quick glimpse, before going back to writing down in his clipboard. "Well, if you were able to read the reports, you'd know that each of the patients fell comatose at around 8:14 PM. They all came from the same location, after we were told they had "lasers" firing from their eyes. Only in this city am I right?"
He'd pause a bit, in case Strange decided to reply to that comment of levity in this incredibly tense situation. If he responded or not, the doctor would simply commence with the rest of the report.
"Anyways, the MRIs indicate that their brain activity was practically at an all time low. And the blood-work showcased that they have some strange substance in their blood. We were able to identify heroin and methaphetamine use in our other patients. But there was this one element that we can't identify. I bet it's what putting their brains into shock. Ugh, though I think we'll have to give up our findings to SHIELD or HAMMER. They're better equipped to figuring out whatever that substance is."
Venting out the issues he was currently having in curing these patients, he'd then try to recall the voice that asked for all this information in the first place. Looking back at Stephen, whose mouth was covered by a medical mask, he'd decide to ask who the man exactly was.
"You sound very familiar. Who are you again?"
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Post by Ysmir on Aug 14, 2020 18:19:25 GMT -7
"Impossible? I've learned never to use that word in my line of work."
"Yes... only in this city," Strange repeated with a nod. If only he knew. Then, as the doctor in charge started explaining his findings, Strange noticed something; he knew the man. Doctor Edgar Ellis, a surgeon beneath Strange during his residency at the NYB Hospital. The Sorcerer Supreme felt a swell of pride at seeing his former underling continue to thrive in such a demanding and ever-changing environment. Plus, it was good to know there was somebody he trusted on the inside of a place so rife with constant life-threatening situations. Strange and the Avengers weren't equipped to save everybody, after all. "But there was this one element that we can't identify."Strange's brow quirked. Stardust, he thought. It had all clicked into place. A mystical drug, an opiate with an ingredient that forces its victim's souls into the Astral Plane against their will. There was zero chance that this had been mistakenly added; no, something nefarious was at play here. Someone, somewhere, was intentionally distributing this abomination of a substance. To what end, Strange wasn't sure. All he knew was that he had to put a stop to it before it could be allowed to spread. Nodding his head curtly at Dr. Ellis, Strange began walking away. "Thank you, Doctor."Then, he stopped in his tracks once Ellis called out to him. Looking back over his shoulder briefly, Strange paused, before replying. "Once this is all over, I'll tell you."Allowing no further discussion due to his waning time, Strange made his way through the bustling crowds of nurses and medical technicians attempting to get to the bottom of this mystery. Among the many comatose patients, Strange spotted two individuals; a young boy and girl, barely older than their teens, covered in gowns. Seeing them unattended at the moment, they were the perfect candidates to find out where this drug was coming from. Strange stepped between the two bodies and ensured that he was not being watched. Lifting his hand before the Eye of Agamotto -- disguised as a stethoscope hanging loosely around his neck -- a subtle light emitted as he closed his eyes. Focusing, Strange whispered an incantation beneath his breath, and in an instant, Strange had delved deep into the subconscious of the soulless bodies. Strange saw the beginnings of their night, starting from when their souls were pulled from their bodies, through their shared passion. Strange went further and further back, pressing deeper into their psyches to find the moment they purchased the "Stardust", hoping to find a new lead to pursue...
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Post by bio858 on Aug 18, 2020 11:12:06 GMT -7
Memory ScapeIn his typical Strange fashion, Stephen would be viewing the memories of two in a "combined" type of sense. It allowed him to maneuver around the scenes, viewing them in whatever fashion he wished, provided the area he encompassed was something viewable by the two. So there would be some "black space" so to speak, for areas not encompassed by whatever they couldn't remember at the time. Nonetheless, he would be "rewinding" the memory, returning back to the scene of which the two bought the drugs. The dealer wouldn't look anything out of the ordinary. The man had dark colored skin, wearing a black sweater and blue jeans with a typical pair of tennis shoes. However, the packages he dealt out in exchange of cash would include a symbol that appeared to be a "A" with the line in-between the "A" not appearing within this logo. The last thing of note was the location the dealer was standing outside of. It included one unique logo of a nightclub. The logo of which stated "Club 616".
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Post by Ysmir on Aug 18, 2020 13:41:12 GMT -7
"Impossible? I've learned never to use that word in my line of work."
As his celestial form traveled through their memories, Strange followed the trail they had left behind. He followed the disconnected bodies of the two unfortunate souls until it led to the moment they purchased the wicked drug that struck them down into the unconscious forms that lay within the medbay. Strange noted the mysterious symbol -- one he was wholly unfamiliar with, but would commit to memory. Looking up from the interaction, he beheld the blurry visage of the nightclub that he assumed the couple had visited before all of this took place. 616... choice number, Strange noted. It wasn't a lot, but it was something to go off of. With a new lead, Strange exited the subconscious memories of the two teens. Back in reality, less than half a second had gone by since Strange began rooting around in their minds. He stood and peered about the medbay; seeing no one that noticed him, the Doctor walked into the nearby wall and phased through it, rendered intangible by the Eye of Agamotto. When he was through to the other side and within an empty corridor, the Sorcerer Supreme's disguise washed away and he was left standing in his regular clothing. The Cloak lifted him into the air and carried him through the layers of each floor, until he passed harmlessly through the top ceiling and was hovering above the roof of the hospital. In the dead of night, encompassed by the glowing moon, Strange meditated as he floated in mid-air. He focused on the Eye, and as he did so, a glowing visage of a third eye appeared on his forehead. In moments, he witnessed a flash of the nightclub; the "616" burned brightly in his field of view, and instinctively, the Eye began to show him the way there. Strange took off through the night. ----- Strange touched down gently upon the sidewalk across the street from the club. It was a weekend, and that meant the clientele was still very much awake and active even at this late hour. As a cab passed by Strange, he was left standing in a sharp blazer and stonewashed black jeans. He figured if he wished to investigate unnoticed, he had to blend in with the rabble. Crossing the street with his hands in his pockets, Strange saw that the individual from the couple's memories was nowhere to be seen outside. The Sorcerer Supreme had no choice but to wait in line for the bouncer to check his I.D and grant him entry, not wishing to make a scene. After some time spent in line, Strange found himself at the front. After a short exchange with the bouncer, he was granted access. Strange pushed open the front doors and entered into Club 616 to carry on with his investigation...
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Post by bio858 on Aug 19, 2020 18:50:38 GMT -7
Club 616Stephen would take in the various blue, purple, and red lights flashing throughout the dance floor. There was a bar to the right, with the rest of the dance floor making up most of the club. At the very left was a stage, where several more dancers stood upon, along with the DJ and the Hype Man. Music would blare through his ears, as he noted the second floor that was mostly allocated to be the VIP area of the club. There were also several other rooms within the club that provide private areas that could be bought out for their more special clients. As of right now, large crowds of people were simply jumping, dancing, and grinding against each other, with others sitting down by the tables just to mingle. There would be some sitting at the bar, simply drinking the night away or flirting with whoever they sat right beside. Essentially, this would prove to be an unusual sight for one Stephen Strange. Ironically stranger than what he typically deals with on a daily basis.
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Post by Ysmir on Aug 20, 2020 9:20:10 GMT -7
"Impossible? I've learned never to use that word in my line of work."
Strange entered into the club and was instantly enveloped in its atmosphere, though perhaps not as completely as the other patrons. Thinks to his quick change of clothing, he didn't look completely out of place; certainly a tad older than the usual clientele, but there was nothing to suggest he wasn't simply another rich upstart from the inner city looking for places to spend money and let off some steam. Through mystical channeling and subtle gestures of his hands held by his waist, Strange spoke an incantation. "All-seeing Agamotto, show me the way."His hands pulsed gently and subtly, barely noticeable among the thumping bass and flashing lights. When they did, the sound of the music relative to everything else in the room deadened to Strange's ears. Through the simple spell, Strange was able to hear each and every conversation as though there were no music playing at all. He drew closer to the bar, where he overheard two disheveled and clearly drunk businessmen discussing ways to cut loose. One had his tie undone. "Excuse me," Strange interjected, leaning on the bar. "Buy you two gentlemen a drink?"Without waiting for their answers, Strange hailed down the bartender and had her refill their glasses. Once they were topped off, Strange turned back to them and reached into his blazer. He removed a package he had conjured alongside the jacket, bearing the same insignia from the memory. He showed it to them. "I was wondering if either of you two knew where I could get my hands on some more. Or know someone who does. Work is... soul-draining. I need a good escape."
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Post by bio858 on Aug 20, 2020 16:12:46 GMT -7
Club 616The two men would look to their right to see Stephen ask his question about the drug. Both gave strange looks to the man, but decided to finally answer his inquiry. They figured that if he was a cop, chances are that the dealers would be able to figure that out soon enough. "Uhh, that's not really our thing, but I think saw some chick on the dance floor handed out packages like that."They would point at one of the dance floor, towards a woman wearing a baseball cap, a pair of dark denim shorts, and tight, red jersey that exposed her belly button with a unique tattoo of a snake slithering across her abdomen. She'd have blonde hair with red-highlights, and did appear to be somewhere in her twenties. From Stephen's point of view, she was simply dancing on the floor, having a good time with the guys around her. On first glance, it seemed that she was unguarded, but with further examination, Stephen would find two men in white tank tops and low-hanging jeans sitting down by their respective tables, staring intently at the woman. Their hands seemed deep under their respective pants, as if they were reaching for a hidden weapon. If Strange approached, those two men would definitely follow suit to check him. Ultimately though, it would be up to the woman to see if Stephen was indeed a narc or not.
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Post by Ysmir on Aug 21, 2020 10:33:12 GMT -7
"Impossible? I've learned never to use that word in my line of work."
Strange knew better than to come off as overly intent. Admittedly, if he had his way, he'd take his time, track this drug over the course of several days and pursue it in a more subtle and less direct manner. But time was not his ally. He looked down at his wrist, where a mystically conjured stopwatch counted down. It had begun at eight hours, and now sat at just over six. If Strange didn't find the source and discover how to undo its effects soon, all of those people's spirits would be separated from their bodies forever. He could not allow that, not just because of his conscience, but because of his job. Sliding his sleeve back up, Strange smiled at the men. He lifted two fingers and tipped them off from his temple in a small salute at them. "Thank you. Have a wonderful evening."Leaving them at the bar with their filled glasses, Strange deposited a twenty dollar bill to cover the fees and tips. He lifted the empty baggie and walked toward the center of the dance floor. The woman the two men had pointed out seemed innocent enough; just another partygoer enjoying her youth in New York's nightlife. But clearly, she had friends. Strange would need more than charm to win her over. Nudging and elbowing his way through a few dancing bodies, Strange eventually approached the woman. Drawing two fingers into his right palm, a spark emitted from his hand. It jumped to the woman and touched her -- from that point forth, she was hexed without even knowing it. As Strange approached, the rest of the club seemed to deaden in her point of view. Strange was all she could focus on. "Hi there," Strange said with a smile, only swaying his shoulders lightly in time to the music. It wasn't really to his tastes. "My friends at the bar said you could help me with this?"Subtly, Strange showed her the baggie with the symbol. He'd hoped his illusory magic and sincere questioning would be enough to get her on his side.
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Post by bio858 on Aug 21, 2020 16:00:36 GMT -7
The woman would stare back at Stephen, noting the attire he was wearing. It seemed the man had some style, definitely giving off a bit of a "Manther" vibe to her. "How's it going handsome? You here for a dance?"Instead, he'd show her a small package with that of a familiar logo. With that little show, the woman knew exactly what Stephen was looking for. Or rather, she knew part of what he was looking for. However, before she could say anything else, her two business compatriots would walk up behind Stephen, pointing their hidden weapons at the man once he approached the woman. "Let's go for a walk, and don't try anything. We need to see if you're legit...or a narc."The two men would guide Stephen outside the club, with the woman walking alongside them. They needed to check if he had a wire on him, or happened to have a badge. They didn't need to have cops breathing down their neck, so they needed to play this safe. Especially given they were in "enemy" territory when it came to selling these drugs.
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Post by Ysmir on Aug 22, 2020 22:20:20 GMT -7
"Impossible? I've learned never to use that word in my line of work."
Strange was well aware of her friends. So, when he felt the cold steel of two concealed pistols pressed into his lower back, it came as little surprise to the Sorcerer Supreme. Still, for all his mystic might, Strange was decidedly not bulletproof; one of the few things he envied Luke Cage for. So, unless he wished to draw the attention of every patron in the club, he'd need to be careful not to set these guards off. "Of course, my friends," Strange answered to the men over the thumping bass. He lifted his hands steadily, as not to arouse suspicion from them. "Lead on."Strange allowed the two men and the woman to lead him away, nudging and shouldering through some of the dancers until he was taken to a back door that led to the ally, mysteriously left unguarded. Seems they certainly have a foothold here. I'll need to be cautious.Once they were outside, the music from within the club was felt more than heard, the ground beneath their feet vibrating in tune to the beat. Strange kept his hands flat out to his sides and lifted his arms, exposing his torso if they wished to check his pockets or pat him down. "I have nothing on me. Go on, check," Strange invited the two men.
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