True Lies Chapter 20: Chaos Part 3, a x-men: the movie fanfic

True Lies

Chapter 20: Chaos Part 3

By: Michelle2

Note: This fanfic takes place 1 ½ years after X-men 2. While I enjoyed the various films since X-men 2, I always envisioned my trilogy as the sequels. The imagination is awesome.

True Lies is the third part of my trilogy. Part 1: The Truth Hurts. Part 2: Sweet Little Lies.

As always: I don't own the characters or make money off my fanfics. I enjoy having fun.

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Some of these scenes were inspired by the comics, Avengers 500-503. I have some lines cited at the end of the chapter.

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That afternoon, the mansion was quiet. The students knew the rules of the mansion when the X-men were on duty. Some of them wondered if their teachers and friends would return, while others were tried to ignore the negative thoughts from occurring in the first place.

Students stayed in their rooms, laughing and cutting up like teens do. They played games, read books, or helped entertain the younger mutants.

Others gathered around the televisions, searching for a glimpse of the X-men or Avengers in action. Superheroes—wasn't that what they were called?

The news reports echoed in the empty halls of the mansion…

"This is Trish Tilby reporting live from Avenger Tower where an unprecedented set of events has just taken place. While the alien invasion has vanished like someone just snapped fingers, the real question remains: what is happening?

"As you see in the distance here as my cameraman zooms in, the X-men—mutant superheroes who usually distance themselves, except in mutant related events—have arrived at the scene and are conversing with Captain America. I am also getting reports that an X-men team is helping with evacuations and a rumor of X-men in the tower."

"Trish, is there any evidence of mutant activity that would draw the X-men to the scene?"

"Ted, from what I am hearing on the ground, no. Communication about what is going on isn't being addressed to the public or news crews."

"What is being reported?"

"As of now, we do know that all this started with a fourth Avenger death…" Trish turned, eyeing the tower. "We are getting reports that another Avenger is in possible danger…"

Screams echoed behind as the side of the building blow off and fell to the ground.

"I believe it is the Avenger known as the Scarlet Witch…"

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He couldn't sleep. He trusted his old friend not to reach him mentally again, and he even took off his helmet, but Charles' concern for his daughter haunted him.

Keeping his distance from his children was the hardest decision he had to make. Once I was lost, and now I am found. Yet, he didn't want to give them false hope. He wasn't put on earth to be a father. Long ago, he knew his purpose was to be a leader for his mutant brothers and sisters.

Priorities?

Charles questioned him numerous times about that. However, how could he help his children if he didn't help everyone else. One person couldn't make a difference. Millions could. That's why he was rebuilding Genosha.

"Magneto."

He continued to lay in bed, even though Toad's voice and the light shining through the cracked door beckoned him to arise.

"You need to come see this."

He sighed but eventually climbed out of bed and followed Toad into a common room in the building they had salvaged.

The news reports from New York City terrified him, but the image on the screen took a toll on his heart.

The Scarlet Witch walked in front of the tower. The lights were on, but no one was home. She was just a physical body moving forward. Her mental facilities were questionable.

"We are getting reports that the Scarlet Witch was responsible for the Avenger death that was reported earlier."

"Trish, is there any connection to the Scarlet Witch and the previous three Avenger deaths?"

Magento knew the answer to that question…and it was one that he didn't like.

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"Is that T.J.'s mom?"

"I think so."

"She looks possessed."

"Isn't she crazy?"

"Mr. Wagner thinks so."

The students in the mansion gossiped about the scene unfolding on the screen. Wanda Maximoff visited the mansion twice a month to pick up T.J. for the weekend, but she rarely paid attention to any of them. She would offer a fake smile and make brief conversation with her sister Lorna, and then her personality would switch when she encountered Kurt, Ororo, or even Logan.

None of them realized the Wanda and Pietro were briefly at the mansion. They were students once before they answered Captain America's call. However, all the students knew the Maximoff twins were Magneto's children.

"She hasn't come to pick up T.J. lately."

"Yeah, Mr. Wagner was upset that she didn't come."

"When was the last time she came here?"

"Like two months ago."

"Really."

"I love her dress."

Wanda was beautiful. She walked in front of the tower like a supermodel. All eyes were on her. She wore a red bodice, a long flowing skirt with slits up both sides and tall, red heels. Her brown curls cascaded over her shoulders. Her gold jewelry glistened around her neck, her wrists, and waist.

But it was only a brief moment. That was when she shook her hips and tower came tumbling down.

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Rogue flew forward, made a fist, and punched through the tower, giving Nightcrawler the visibility outside. She hovered in the air and waited for his familiar Bamf sound, but as she heard him, the tower's top floors gave way.

The force propelled her into the building next to tower. She slammed through the glass windows and into long table meant for business meetings. She lay flat, covered her head, and listened to people outside scream and windows break. There, she waited alone for the fear to pass.

"Rog-ue, ca-n –y-ou h-ear m-e?" Nightcrawler's voice, though broken, was an angel in her ear.

She stood up, placing her hand on her earbud. "I hear you. Where are you?"

"Roo—fto—p."

She nodded, but she didn't know to whom as none on was in the room. This building had been evacuated earlier.

Rogue stepped towards the window, trying to avoid the broken glass that paved her way. When at the edge, she looked at the empty space.

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"Cyclops, she's going to pull the tower down."

Cyclops heard Storm's voice holler in his ear. He turned, looking in the direction of the tower. Cracks stretched like long fingernails, until they dug in. That's when he saw the hands pull it down.

"Get everyone to safety! Take cover!"

The top half of the tower ducked into itself briefly, a ring of smoke wrapped around it. Then it fell into itself. The ground rumbled, and the dust and debris ripped through the streets.

Iceman's ice wall blocked what it could, until smacked by larger materials.

White Queen did her best to keep the people calm, but even she was rattled.

Shadowcat grabbed a mother and her young children, phasing them from getting hit by debris.

Havok shielded an elderly man with his body, taking the beating from the force.

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"Rogue, Nightcrawler. Do ya hear me? Yawl gotta git outta de tower!" Gambit ordered.

Gambit felt Storm grab his hand as the tower crashed to the ground for the world to see. There was no response from Rogue or Nightcrawler, and he lost feed on the body cams. He looked to Storm for comfort, but she was just as nervous.

He glanced at the live news footage from New York City. When the dust settled, the tower lay in a heap of rubble.

"Rogue, please answer. Please answer me. Please. Cheré..."

He thought about all that he had put her through that weekend and the week before. The good-the bad—the good—the bad—their relationship wasn't an easy one, but he didn't want anything else in life but her. She was the reason he stayed. She was the reason he lived. She saw the good in him, even when the voices in his mind reminded him of all the things he did wrong in his life. She was his everything.

"Gambit."

He was strong until he heard her voice. The tears rolled down his cheeks. "Cheré, ya okay?"

"Ah'm fine, so's Nightcrawler, Mystique, and Logan. We're fine."

Gambit looked to Storm. She was quiet, but the tears rolled down her cheeks too. She was always the strongest one on the team, and even now, she tried not to break her cool. She held her head confident as she spoke to Nightcrawler, who assured her that he too was fine.

"I love you, Rogue," he said softly. He wondered if she heard.

He looked at the ring that glittered on Storm's finger. He remembered. Before walking her down the aisle, he asked her how she was so sure Kurt was the one. Faith. That was her response.

"I love you, too, Gambit."

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"Debris from the tower blew around her, but Wanda stood unaffected. As the smoke settled, two figures walked out of the shadows to stand at her sides.

"William and Thomas." Xavier took a deep breath.

The Avengers and the X-men were besides themselves as they watch Wanda interact with the two boys. She was in another world—her own world. The ground beneath her feet began to sprout flowers where she stepped.

"What do you want us to do, Professor Xavier?" Iron Man said. Xavier didn't have to read his mind to know that Wanda's mental health had deteriorated to a dangerous level. The people in the city were still in danger, as well as Wanda herself. Iron Man was willing to compromise for the moment.

Xavier wheeled in his direction. "I need the Avengers and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to continue to get the people to safety."

"We have more Avengers in route," Black Widow added.

"Good. These people are scared," Xavier reminded them. "And I don't think this is over."

"I'm not leaving," Captain America stood firm. "I need to help her."

"Don't be foolish, Rogers," Iron Man replied. "On a scale of 10, she's a 9.5 bat-shit crazy."

"She's my friend."

"She's insane."

Beast pushed the two apart. "She can hear you," he growled.

Xavier folded his hands, knowing that he couldn't be the only one to reach Wanda. "I'd prefer it if Captain America stayed, along with Dr. Strange."

Iron Man straightened up his stance. "Fine, we'll get the people to safety, but my suits will be on standby."

"Of course," Xavier nodded. "Beast, I want you to rendezvous with Rogue and Nightcrawler. Logan and Mystique need tending to."

"Professor, are you sure?"

"Yes, I will be fine," Xavier looked to Polaris, who was confused by her presence beside him. "Polaris, I need your help trying to reach your sister."

"Okay," Polaris nodded.

"Any word on Pietro?"

"He's still in route," Captain America replied.

Xavier, Polaris, Dr. Strange, and Captain America looked to the tower. Wanda and the twins wandered around a field of flowers.

Dr. Strange took a deep breath. "I'd don't think we have time to wait for him."

"No, I don't think we do."

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"Quicksilver to Avenger Tower," he said over the headset. "Wasp and I are about ten minutes out. We are requesting permission to land."

Quicksilver looked to Wasp, wondering if she was hearing something he wasn't. Perhaps, his headset was broken.

Wasp tapped her screen. "Quicksilver, I'm not getting any reading from Avenger Tower."

"That doesn't make any sense," Quicksilver replied. "We both heard the distress call. Cap wouldn't call a code white for nothing."

"It's like the tower's not there," Wasp said. "And the signal into the city is spotty."

Quicksilver looked toward the city, seeing the Statue of Liberty in the distance. "Dear god, Wanda. What have you done?"

"Pietro?"

Quicksilver shook the thoughts from her head. "Try to boost the signal and try contacting Stark."

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"Are you sure you are alright?" Nightcrawler asked as Rogue pulled little pieces of glass out her X-suit.

"I'm fine," Rogue insisted. "It's not like they really hurt or anything. Besides, I'm invulnerable."

"Zhat doesn't mean you are immune to pain," Nightcrawler reminded her.

She stretched to see over her shoulder. She was going to be guarded but curious. "How are they?"

"Logan is puking in zhe corner, and Mystique is receiving medical attention," Nightcrawler said, turning to the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents who were on the rooftop with them. "Mystique is going to be out for a little vhile. My teleporting broke her from the trance, but didn't help her physically."

Rogue didn't budge to go to Mystique, though Nightcrawler knew she should have. She was angry; he could sense it, and he couldn't blame her. However, he knew the value in forgiveness, which was something Rogue hadn't realized yet.

"Nightcrawler and Rogue. Remain in your current positions. Beast is on route to meet you and tend to Logan and Mystique."

Nightcrawler sighed when he received Xavier's message. "Rogue, Beast is meeting us here. Professor Xavier wants us on standby."

Rogue nodded. She received the same message, but she was unusually quiet. She seemed to study him, searching for the right question to ask him.

Nightcrawler walked over to one of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents attending to Mystique and talked to him about her injuries.

"Hey Elf," Logan said, staggering over to them.

"How are you feeling, Logan?" Nightcrawler asked, but the guilt he felt was real. He and Rogue should have been at the tower to intercept Mystique not Logan.

"I feel like shit," Logan replied. He stood next to the gurney, ignoring the agents trying to keep him from Mystique.

"You look like shit," Nightcrawler smiled.

Logan smirked and grunted. "Funny."

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Wanda walked around in the field of flowers. She was oblivious to everything but her boys. She watched them spin around in the sun for the first time in years. She rarely let them out, keeping them safe from the world…her friends…her family…

No one understood what she was going through. No one understood how much her children meant to her.

But she was missing one.

She was missing her daughter.

William picked her a bouquet and handed to her. She smiled at the sight of the flowers in a colorful array.

"These would look lovely on the kitchen table," she said. He kissed her on the cheek.

Wanda smiled. "We need to get your sister."

"Now?" Thomas asked. His eyes scanned the area. "Mother, we have a problem."

Wanda looked to the edge of the field, seeing her sister there.

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Storm listened to Nightcrawler's updates about Mystique and Logan. After the tower fell, there was an eerie silence. She and Gambit had walked the mansion hallways, assuring students that everyone was alright and that all the X-men were safe, but part of her wondered if that was a lie.

Several news crews still kept an eye on the Scarlet Witch. Discussions about her powers were the talk of the hour, but the views were conflicting. Every now and then, someone would mention a registration act, and the responses paused. No one wanted to answer yes or no, but the unanswered question scared them all.

She glanced to her side, seeing Gambit's eyes darting to each individual screen in the control room. They both were focused on the Scarlet Witch, but he made sure everything was working in order. Want the best security system? Hire a thief to tell you the strengths and weakness.

"Damnit."

"Everything is going to be okay, Gambit," she assured herself more than him. "Professor Xavier knows what he is doing."

"It's not that," Gambit sighed. He was worried, but something else bothered him. "I lost camera 32 and 33."

"Where are they located?" Storm asked. The man could remember camera locations and angles but ask him to prepare lesson plans and he plays dumb.

"Boys' dorm. In front of Kurt's old room, across the hall from Logan's room and Rogue & I's room," Gambit replied, trying to pull up the feed.

"Why would they fail like that?" Storm asked. The reoccurring failed cameras outside her room were problematic enough. They didn't need to add more.

'I don't know," Gambit answered. "When I talked to my cousin, he mentioned energy surges. I ain't seen no evidence of surges in the mansion, except when Kurt pisses ya off or ya bitch-slap Logan."

"Bitch-slap Logan?"

"Drake showed me a video," Gambit explained. 'It was a brief break from which-Disney-princess-do-ya-think-is-hot questions."

Storm smiled for the first time the X-men left. "See what is wrong with those cameras."

"I'll add it ta my to do list, Stormy."

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Polaris smirked when she saw Captain American take off his mask. He looked good for a guy who spent part of his life as a popsicle, and if she wasn't starting something with Havok, perhaps she would make a move. Of course, if Thor was here, nothing would stop her from making a move. Head out of the clouds, Lorna? Right.

"If she becomes defensive, how fast can you retrieve my shield for me?" Captain America asked. He placed his shield on the edge of the field, and she tilted her head, looking at the view. Tight buns! Not bad for a hundred-year-old man, right?

Polaris fixed her headband as he stood up. "A second or two."

"Good," Captain America replied. He walked forward, and she stayed a few feet behind. It was a nice view.

Polaris walked forward, refocusing her mind on the task at hand. Wanda and the two boys kept their attention on her. They made her uneasily, but Wanda always had that effect on people. Wanda and Clint Barton would come to the mansion to pick up T.J. Clint would socialize and show the students tricks, but Wanda would hold her nose up at any who approached. Lorna tried to make small talk with her during the visits, but she would rather have a root canal. They were sisters by blood, but that wasn't enough to give them a bond. Kurt treated Rogue like a sister, even though they were not blood-related, and Lorna envied that relationship.

When they were within fifteen feet of Wanda and the boys, she was surprised by Wanda's excitement to see them.

"Oh, Steve," Wanda hugged him, and Polaris watched as his eyes widened. He was unsure what to make of her. "I'm so glad you can come and visit us. You must meet my boys. They got so big. They're almost taller than I am."

Wanda turned to Polaris and hugged her too. "I've missed you so much. We never get to see one another anymore. We need to have a woman to woman talk. Won't that be fun? You have to meet your nephews."

Polaris wanted to resist, but Wanda pulled her towards the boys. Captain America followed. She wondered what Xavier and Dr. Strange thought.

"This is William," Wanda said, introducing to the first young man.

William was handsome, with Wanda's and Vision's features, but that didn't make that much sense. Yet, when he reached out to shake her hand, she felt him—he was real.

"And Thomas," Wanda said, turning to the second young man.

Thomas was handsome as well but looked more like Pietro and Magento. Like his grandfather and uncle, the young man had silver hair. It was funny how that only happened to the men in the family. And like his brother, he was real—his hands felt warm.

But the boys didn't greet Captain America as openly as they greeted her.

"Wanda, we need to talk about this," Captain America said. Polaris didn't know the man for long but heard the concern in his voice. Wanda was his friend…

"What is there to talk about?"

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Iceman walked beside Shadowcat. "Kitty, you okay?"

"Yeah," she replied. "But I'm getting worn out from phasing so much. Professor wants everyone within a three-block radius from tower in case another building goes down. I just don't see how that is possible."

"I know what you mean," Iceman said, looking around. The streets had quieted. Everyone either evacuated or was hiding. Every so often, they helped people break free from the debris of the tower.

"You really think the Scarlet Witch killed Hawkeye?" Kitty asked.

They had both met the two Avengers before. Wanda visited the mansion to pick up T.J., but she wasn't sociable. Clint Barton was the opposite. He was actually a nice guy and interested in joining one of the Danger Room sessions.

"Kurt thinks she nuts," Iceman replied. He regretted the words that came out of his mouth, even though he heard Kurt say on several occasions. He didn't like to talk about his relationship with Wanda, especially after marrying Ororo. Kurt always apologized for the way he spoke negatively about Wanda; it wasn't T.J.'s fault they didn't get along. "I mean she's standoffish, don't you think? She just seems to live in her own little world."

Kitty shrugged. "Maybe she's just depressed."

Iceman didn't reply to that. He thought about all of them living in the mansion. Everyone he knew seemed to have something odd or unique about their life. The Scarlet Witch was no different…It was how she dealt with it…

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"What is there to talk about?" Wanda asked him.

Captain America watched as she stepped away. When he looked into her eyes, he didn't see his friend. Something was wrong. All he wanted to do was help.

"Wanda," he approached her again. "You know this isn't right."

She turned, looking over her shoulder. "What do you mean?" her smirked frightened him.

In the corner of his eyes, William and Thomas stood on either side of him.

"Captain," Polaris said, but he nodded no. He didn't want his shield yet; he just wanted to talk to his friend.

"You know this isn't real," Captain America said. He expected her to react, but she didn't.

"He's lying," William replied, his outfit resembled Thor's, which puzzled him. What was so great about Thor?

"He wants to take us away from you," Thomas added. He resembled Quicksilver. Now that makes sense.

There was something about the way they looked at him. He saw them clearly. They were real and resembled younger versions of Avengers. Yet, they spoke like Wanda.

"Wanda, we want to help you," Captain America said. "I'm your friend, Wanda. Please…None of this is real. These boys aren't your children. You don't have any children. None of this is real."

"Don't do this! You don't know."

"See?!"

"Why is he saying this? i"

Their mouths moved, and the words echoed out.

Tears flowed from Wanda's eyes. "Steve, stop."

'Wanda, I just wanted to help you," Captain America replied. "You're my friend. Remember when you joined the Avengers. They called you Cap's Kooky Quartet. Me, you, Pietro, Clint. Our first missions together…I want to help you."

"Steve…stop."

"STOP IT!"

"Wanda!" Captain America stepped forward. There was a look in her eye, a bright red glow. A voice came from behind him.

He looked over his shoulder and then around him. War always haunts a soldier, but for this captain, the red skull of his adversary sent chills down his spine. Guns aimed at him.

"That's not real."

William smirked. "Your fear is."

"Fear isn't always in the mind," Thomas added.

"Polaris," he whispered her name, which was all she needed to respond. She was afraid too. He grabbed his shield in time, but the blast knocked him off his feet.

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Mystique squinted her eyes open. She felt sick to her stomach. Blurred images hovered around her, and she went on defense, trying to get free from them, but her strength was not there.

"Mutter."

His familiar voice was not a welcoming one, but he was her son. The tower. She remembered the tower. No. No. She wasn't in the tower. She was in Mississippi with Irene…and Rogue. They were dead. They were all dead.

"Calm down, Mutter. Rogue and I are here."

He pinned her down. The images around her started to focus. It was a sunny day and they are there. Kurt and Rogue. Oh my!

"Mutter."

Her eyes focused. He was real and alive. Her son was there. "Nightcrawler," she said, referring to him by his code name. Calling him Kurt would indicate she cared.

"She's looked like she's seen a ghost."

Her eyes darted to her left, seeing Rogue with her arms folded. She was real too. "Rogue."

Rogue didn't respond. She looked angry and frustrated. She held her hand to her ear and talked to a man she didn't want her associating with.

"Hello Mystique," Beast said, joining her side. Rogue stepped back to give the doctor more room.

"She was unconscious when we found her," Nightcrawler replied. "I believe Wanda spelled her."

"Wanda didn't spell her; the boy did," Logan corrected. He was a few feet away from her.

Wanda. The name registered in her brain as they spoke. She was there to stop the events in the diary. She was there to save mutants. She fought to get up.

"Easy now, Mystique," Beast said, trying to calm her.

He didn't understand. Nightcrawler didn't understand. Rogue didn't understand. None of them knew.

"Let me go," Mystique fought them. Nightcrawler held her, while Beast stepped away. "You gotta kill her. Kill her."

"Mutter, stop fighting me," Nightcrawler replied. "Rogue, help me."

Rogue's strength was too much for her. There was a look in Rogue's green eyes that drew tears to hers. Her daughter was disappointed in her. That hurt more than anything.

"Let me go!" Mystique hollered at them.

Nightcrawler fussed, "Beast, whatever you are doing, do it quick."

Beast rushed over to her, and Nightcrawler stepped back again. She felt the sting in her arm where Rogue held her. "This will calm her for a while."

It burned when it entered her arm, but slowly she started to relax. 'You need to kill her," she pleaded with him. "You need to kill her, or she'll make us no more. NO MORE!"

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Cyclops walked by the White Queen's side. He was nervous around her. As leader in the X-men, he was confident and calm. Around her, he felt weak in the knees…and guilty too. The last time he felt like this, he was courting Jean.

"Thank you," he said. He earned a smile from her. Had she read his thoughts? "These people were scared; you calmed them." Smooth Scott. Real Smooth.

"I'm just doing what Xavier asked," Emma replied. Her white garments were no longer white. While she walked like she was a queen, when it came down to it, she was ready to get her hands dirty. "I feel more are in the area. A woman and boy, in that car," she pointed.

Cyclops wiped the dust off the window. A woman and her young son were inside. She was in shock, afraid to move and afraid of him. He waved, and the boy waved back, causing the woman to hold the little one tighter.

"Emma," Cyclops said. "I need your assistance."

The White Queen took a deep breath, and Cyclops watched as the mother inside the vehicle relaxed. She smiled to him, and he opened the door. The woman climbed out with the boy still in her arms.

"Thank you."

The little whisper was all he needed to hear. Seconds later, firefighters covered the woman and son in a blanket, leading them to safety.

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Polaris watched as Captain America flew across the field. Where are you Professor? Where are you?

"Dear baby sister," Wanda said, she inched closer. Her red heels hit the pavement hidden by her illusion of flowers. Tap…tap…tap… "What are you afraid of?"

"At this moment," Polaris stood as still as she could without her knees shaking. "You?"

"Me?" Wanda pointed to herself and laughed. "In my field of paper flowers / And candy clouds of lullaby / I lie inside myself for hours / And watch my purple sky fly over me."

Wanda moved her hands in a fashion Polaris had never seen before, but the red glow that formed rose the hair on her neck.

"Wanda, we are sisters," Polaris reminded her. Granted, they didn't do anything together like sisters or acted like sisters. "We are supposed to be friends and share things with each other."

Wanda paused. She was listening.

"We're not supposed to be enemies," Polaris said. She shrugged her shoulders. "I always wanted a sister. My friends all had siblings, and I was jealous. When I found out about you and Pietro, I thought…hey…this could be cool. I could have someone to talk too, you know…since my mother and aunt died…

"I spent 19 years of my life not knowing about having sibling, and I would like to know them. I want to know you and give Pietro a hard time with the guys we bring home to date.

"And we really need to talk about Captain America's ass. Did you see how tight it is? And you've gotta tell me about Thor's."

Wanda's expression softened as Polaris talked. She wasn't lying. She wanted a sister to talk to. There were times in the mansion that she felt all alone.

"Lorna," Wanda dropped to her knees. "I'm sorry."

"Wanda, it's alright," Polaris stooped beside her. "Let me help you."

"Who said I need help?" Wanda looked at her with a flash of red in her eyes. "I never wanted a sister."

Polaris' face stung as she flew in the air. Wanda slapped her with enough force to knock her a few feet away.

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Rogue looked over the side of the building. The ground was covered in red, and she could see little movements. She wanted to go and help, but Professor Xavier's warnings told them not to interfere.

"Hey," Nightcrawler said. He stayed away from the edge of the building. He didn't want to look over the side like she did. "Mystique is stable."

"You sure about that?" Rogue asked. She couldn't look at him. She wanted to fight. She wanted to be home. She just wanted to have a life, but nothing seemed to work out for her.

"Something bothering you?" Nightcrawler asked.

"I could ask you the same thing," Rogue turned, looking at his golden eyes. She could easily pull her glove off and absorb the memories that bother him.

Nightcrawler sighed. "I knew about the two boys…the twins I mean."

"How?" Rogue didn't understand.

"Talia Josephine was a baby, maybe five months old. Wanda told me she wanted me to meet her other children," Nightcrawler replied. The memory looked painful for him. "I saw them, Rogue. I don't know how she did it, but I saw them and they were real. It was chaos that day…she went crazy."

"Like now?" Rogue looked over the side again.

"Not at this level," Nightcrawler replied. "I told professor about it before. He knows."

"But even he couldn't prepare for this," Rogue sighed. "Why do you defend her?"

"Who? Wanda?"

"No, Mystique," she looked him in the eye again. He resembled Mystique more than he knew. "After all she did to you."

Nightcrawler shrugged. 'Sometimes, I question myself the same thing. It all comes back to one thing—forgiveness."

"How? How can you forgive her?"

"Rogue, I know vhat she has done to me, and I know she may never change, but I also know she is my mutter," Nightcrawler admitted. "I forgive her for vhat she did to me. She may never forgive herself for her sins, but I do. I don't want to hold on to things that anger me, Rogue. I want to be free."

Rogue turned away from him. She hated when he got preachy.

"And I think what is bothering you, Rogue, is the fact you haven't set yourself free from vhatever it is zhat binds you," Nightcrawler added.

Rogue let the tear rolled down her cheek when he walked away.

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"I never wanted a sister."

"Yes, you did."

"No."

"Yes."

Wanda's knees hurt, but not as much as her heart. The voices battled her. She couldn't defeat them alone, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to. She had her boys. Isn't that what she wanted? Is that the only thing she ever wanted?

The ground shook beneath her feet. She watched as Captain America tended to Polaris, her sister.

Why didn't they understand? Why did they want to take them away from her?

"Wanda."

His voice was subtle—the voice of reason…a father-figure.

"Everything is going to be alright, Wanda."

"You don't know this."

"I know you are hurting. We just want to help you."

"No one can help me, Professor," Wanda stood up, outstretched her arms. A red glow illuminated her, and she rose in the air.

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"Quicksilver, are you seeing this?" Wasp asked as they neared the city.

The sky darkened as black clouds rolled in.

Everyone saw it. The X-men and the Avengers spread out around the city, all turned at the sight. Who wouldn't?

The bright and sunny day turned into doom and gloom. A bright red light sprung from where the tower once stood.

"Wanda," Pietro said. "I need to get to her. Open the hanger."

He unbuckled his harness and walked to the back of the jet.

"Open the hanger."

"Quicksilver."

"OPENITNOW!"

Wasp didn't argue with him.

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Professor Xavier kept his eyes on the boys as Wanda rose in the air. William and Thomas smiled and pointed at the sight.

The boys loved her. He could feel their thoughts in his head. They were real, more so than anyone had thought. They were just two boys who loved their mother as much as she loved them.

"Dr. Strange," Professor Xavier said. "We need to stop this madness. Are you ready?"

Dr. Strange nodded and took to the air.

William and Thomas turned towards him. He could feel their fear as Dr. Strange called out their mother's name. He had to separate them from her.

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"You alright?" Captain America asked as he helped Polaris to her feet.

She rubbed her cheek. "Fine."

Captain America looked at Wanda and the bright light that surrounded her. She could level the entire city. She could hurt all the people—innocent people—not just her family and friends.

"WANDA MAXIMOFF!"

Dr. Strange's voice echoed in the empty field where the tower once stood.

Captain America saw the fear in her eyes and the tear on her cheek.

"You will stop this madness now. You are hurting your friends and you are hurting yourself. This stops NOW!"

"No!"

Wanda fought his advances. Dr. Strange was powerful, and Captain America rarely saw him in action.

"You cannot take them away from me again!"

But Wanda wasn't an advanced master like Strange was. White and red lights flickered in the air. A magical battle was something Captain America couldn't understand. His life was complicated in this decade, and the more he tried to understand, the more he was thrown a curve ball.

"You will stop this madness! These magics are not yours to abuse!"

Dr. Strange's last blast knocked Wanda out cold. She fell, and Captain America ran forward to catch her. ii

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William and Thomas hollered as their mother fell from the sky. They looked at their hands. They were nothing without her power, imprisoned in the reality she created for them.

Were they protected there?

Yes.

Were they free?

No.

They were one with her, but they longed to be something more.

Red rings swallowed them inside, back into her world. They were no more.

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Captain America caught Wanda in his arms. He looked down at her peaceful face. It had been a long time since she looked that way. The last few months were painful. He forgave her for being a part of it. He just wanted her to get help. He cared for his friends.

"Is she alright?" Polaris asked. She kept her distance but was concerned as well.

"I'm sorry, Captain," Dr. Strange said as he landed. "I had no choice. We had no other way of reaching her."

Professor Xavier wheeled towards them and placed his hand on her head. "Her mind is turmoil. She's in a fragile state."

"Can you help her, Professor Xavier?" Captain America asked. The field of flowers disappeared, leaving behind the rubble from the tower.

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"This is Trish Tilby reporting live in front of what once was Avenger Tower.

"We are getting multiple reports that the Scarlet Witch is down and on the ground.

"Agents have left their posts to assist in the matter, leaving the police, firefighters, and National Guard to deal with increasing needs of the citizens of the city who are scared."

"Trish, any word on the Avengers and the mutants—X-men?"

"Ted, what I do know is that Avengers across the city have responded a distress call from Captain America. The Avengers are scattered throughout out the city, as are the X-men. Why the X-men have been called in remains a mystery, but what I can confirm is the Professor Xavier, head of Xavier's School for Gifted Children, is on the scene and conversing with Captain America."

Trish lost her balance and looked around.

"Trish, is everything alright there?"

"Yes…"

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"Wanda," Quicksilver sped to a halt in front of them, his face long and wide, questioning what happened to his sister. "What have you done?"

"We've calmed her," Professor Xavier explained.

"Give her to me," Pietro demanded.

Captain America didn't argue. He placed Wanda in his arms, as if she was child who fell asleep.

They were all concerned for her well-being, even though she was source of all the pain.

Anita Hill stepped forward. "I hate to do this," she said as additional agents surrounded them. "I'm afraid I have to take Wanda Maximoff into custody."

Captain America left Pietro and Xavier to tend to Wanda. "What for?"

"She's responsible for four deaths and countless more," Hill replied. "And for the damage to the city."

Captain America looked around him. The sun was shining again, and the flowers were gone. Destruction surrounded the location where the tower stood. "And if we refuse to surrender her?"

"I'm afraid I will have to take all of you into custody," Hill replied. "Don't make this a hard decision on me."

Captain America glanced to Pietro. He wasn't going to give up his sister. He could easily speed away, but for how far and how long. Wanda needed help.

"No, I'm not letting them have her," Pietro replied.

"Pietro," Captain America said. In the corner of his eye, he could see the agents closing in. They could stun Pietro, possibly hurting Wanda in the process.

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Pietro rocked her in his arms. He should have been here. He should have been her with her. He noticed the agents surrounding him and Wanda, despite Captain America's plea with Agent Hill.

Polaris knelt down next to him. "Can you wake her up?"

"She's not asleepiii," Pietro informed her. His younger sister didn't know Wanda like he did.

"Pietro," Captain America turned to him. "They need to take her in."

"No," Pietro stood up. He could outrun them. He could also get help. "Professor, stop them."

Professor Xavier sighed. "You know I cannot do that."

While Pietro had respect for Xavier, that wasn't the response he wanted to hear. He went to take the first step, when the guns ripped out of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents' hands. He glanced to Polaris; they were family and needed to stick together.

"Polaris," Agent Hill ordered. "Release these weapons at once."

Polaris shook her head. "That's not me."

"Then, who is it?"

Pietro's eyes widened. He wouldn't have believed it if he didn't see it for himself.

"I've come for my daughter."

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I kept thinking of Evanescence's "Imaginary" when I was writing, which is why I included the refrain in the chapter.

I linger in the doorway
Of alarm clocks screaming monsters calling my name
Let me stay
Where the wind will whisper to me
Where the raindrops as they're falling tell a story

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me

Don't say I'm out of touch
With this rampant chaos your reality
I know well what lies beyond my sleeping refuge
The nightmare I built my own world to escape

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me

Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming
Cannot cease for the fear of silent nights
Oh how I long for the deep sleep dreaming
The goddess of imaginary light

In my field of paper flowers
And candy clouds of lullaby
I lie inside myself for hours
And watch my purple sky fly over me

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i Avengers # 503, p. 15

ii Avengers #503, pp. 19-23

iii Avengers # 503, p. 24