"Alex, is that you?"
"Of course it's me, Master! Don't I have the right to call you?" Alex's cheerful voice echoed.
"No! I mean… of course you can. But where are you?"
"Oh! Right, I went home yesterday. Something crazy happened—I defeated Carnage, you know, Spiderwoman's enemy. Well, I cheated a little, but I also awakened my power. I think I'm finally ready to learn magic."
"Wait for me. I'll be there in a second."
"Master, did the ritual fail?" asked Stephanie.
"No… the other side just sent us proof of his arrival."
The Ancient One drew a magic circle, revealing Alex in his underwear, falling into the snow.
"How dare she do that! I'm going to have a word with that crazy little girl!" Magik fumed.
"It's fine. I'll find out why there are two Alexes at the same time. Doctor Strange, congratulations— the role of Sorcerer Supreme is yours. Goodbye!"
"Master, wait! Don't leave everything to me!!"
But it was too late—the bald woman had already vanished.
"Don't worry, you'll manage! Call me if you need help," Wanda added, before leaving to deal with mutant affairs.
"Well! I'm still here! My magical training isn't finished yet—I'm counting on you, Master!" Magik teased.
"You're already too strong… some demons of Hell obey you! Why cling to me like this?"
"Haha! Because it'll be fun!!"
(Damn… I already spent an eternity dying against Dormammu. What could possibly be worse?) thought the new Sorcerer Supreme, resigning herself.
At Alex's Place
A portal formed before him.
"Master Yaona!!"
"My little dragon! You've really grown… and become quite attractive."
"If even my master finds me attractive, then we should date! And Master—I'm not little anymore!" he said, shifting from 4'7" to 5'3", transforming into a teenager.
"So, you can change your size and age… Yesterday, I felt your power awakening through our spiritual bond. And there's something else inside you… but it doesn't seem hostile. (That might explain why there are two Alexes)," she thought.
"She-Venom? Well, it's female, so I don't mind keeping it inside me… Anyway! Since you're here, teach me magic!!"
"Ahh… I guess it's in your nature not to think too much. But first, tell me what you've been doing all these years. You know… I really missed you."
"Really!? I missed you too!" With his older-looking face, Alex's smile made the Grand Master blush.(Damn… this little dragon is dangerous for all women… even I'm not immune to him.)
Returning to his normal size, nestled in his master's arms, he told her about his adventures and the battle from the day before.
Afterward, she transformed the apartment into the Mirror Dimension. Within it, she condensed millions of years of knowledge—both theory and practice—and began teaching him.
Deep down, she knew the masked man who had once saved her was likely the future Alex. And he wasn't even trying to hide it.
In the Depths of the Ocean
In a strange underwater facility where no human could survive, a man wearing a dragon mask opened his eyes.
"Well… it's time to go. I swear, what I wouldn't do for another me. One day, we'll be one. I hope you/I take care of everyone… and never forget: SAVE THEM. CAPTURE THEM. PROTECT THEM."
Then the man closed his eyes again. With a smile, he vanished into the darkness.
Back at Alex's
After a week of mystical training and exploring his mutations, the Grand Master finally stopped.
Still, Alex had learned an incredible amount in such a short time.(If this keeps up, I'm afraid I'll throw myself at him…) she thought.
"I won't be living far from here. Don't forget to visit me at the Manhattan Sanctuary. Take care of yourself, Alex." She leaned in, kissed his cheek, and vanished through a portal before he could react.
Transformation
As soon as his master left, the symbiote covered Alex. It could take the form of a skintight black suit like Spiderwoman's, or the monstrous Venom form.
Growing to 6'1" as a human, and 6'6" as Venom, Alex's body shifted.His muscles bulged, a black-and-purple aura surrounded him, and his large white eyes narrowed.He kept his mouth closed, while a second, more feminine head appeared in front of him—its mouth full of sharp teeth, its long tongue licking his neck and jaw.
"So, darling… do you want to play hero or villain?"
"I'm not playing! I WILL SAVE, CAPTURE, PROTECT!!!" His voice was deep and powerful.
"Well, well… sounds like some kind of creed, huh?"
"What? I don't know, it just came out. Strange."
"So many mysteries to discover! And with all those magic tricks you've learned, we're going to have so much fun!"
"I'm the one in control. Stay calm!"
"Your orders, boss!"
"Alright then… Here we come, New York! We are…"
"Venom!"
"Venom!"