Ch 6 Chaos
"I told you Wanda was very strong. Let her try Strange. Let her help you," said Kang.
Strange looked at me as if I was an enigma "Where does your magic come from? Who was your teacher?"
Who was he to question my magic? My expression must have spoken my thoughts for he responded, "I mean no disrespect Wanda. I need to know if I am to let you in my mind."
I began to pace, making my way to the circular window and then back to the men. I wanted to forget it all. I wanted peace. "Since I was a child I experienced moments where I was able to control my world. I believed it to be only in my imagination that I was able to strongly influence people. Now I am not so sure. I think my brother, Pietro, noticed due to his incessant whining that I usually got my way. It wasn't until I touched the mind stone that I felt a release, the revelation of a whole new world within my mind. Revenge for my parents death at the hands of Stark drove me until I realized Stark changed and that there are truly evil beings in the world bent on destruction. I had a run in with a dark witch and I took the Book of the Damned from her. Have you heard of it?"
"Yes, I am familiar with its lore. It is called the Dark Hold in my world. It asks a heavy price, Wanda. Have you used it?" Strange asked gently.
I was quiet, afraid to confess my use of the book to this powerful sorcerer, suddenly worried about my choices.
Kang had no such qualms. "She converted dark matter to living matter. Recreated a dog from her Westview fantasy," said Kang.
Strange looked to Kang at his words. "Is this true?" Strange asked as he turned to me, speculation in his gaze.
I nodded.
"What else are you capable of?" Strange asked.
"I can enchant minds." I said. I increased my pace.
"She had an entire town enchanted to do her bidding," said Kang.
I looked up to find Loki's eyes tracking me. "An entire town?" Loki echoed back.
"In my grief I unknowingly converted matter into other forms," I ceased moving looking out the circular window to the world below, my back to them. "I never meant to cause such pain. I stopped when I found out," and to myself, I let my family die. Moisture had leaked from my eyes. I can't cry Infront of these men. I reached my hand to wipe, smearing wetness upon my checks in the hopes my distress would remain unnoticed. Then a handkerchief was before me.
"Wanda?" Loki's kind eyes stared into my very soul and I wanted to trust him. I took the cloth, used it to wipe my eyes and then held on to it with my right hand, letting the cloth rub between my forefinger and thumb. The motion, a comfort. When would time heal the rawness I felt?
I rotated my wrists, flexing my fingers. "I can show you how I convert matter into other forms, like this table, for instance. May I?" I felt the need to ask. We were all powerful in our own ways and I did not want to be misunderstood. Nods around the room followed as I glanced at the men. I pushed the cloth into my back jean pocket. I stretched my fingers and flicked my wrists and the table transformed into a statue of Dr. Strange which garnered a few chuckles.
"Do you have to exert energy to maintain the transformation?" asked Strange
"No, this one is simple so it will stay," I replied. I can turn it back if you wish?"
"I think you should. I realize I can be a bit …" said Strange.
"Of an ass," supplied Kang.
Strange gave him a look, "hubristic at times but I have no need for a statue of myself. I do wish to help my fellow humans, to set this multiverse to rights," said Strange. "I haven't had a chance to become familiar with all the items in this collection yet. I am sure Mr. Wong would say it was important."
"Dr. Strange, you are one interesting fellow," said Kang, shaking his head as he chuckled to himself.
I flicked my wrist and the item returned to its previous form. Loki and Strange reached out to touch the table as if the tactile contact would better inform them of its composition.
"You say that she transformed the dark matter into a usable stable form," said Strange turning to Kang.
"I am right here and do not need to be referred to in third person. And yes I did summon and convert the dark matter."
"How is that possible?" asked Strange. "It goes against all known records of our interactions with dark matter. It has a life of its own with a goal to absorb or control other life forms. I read that Agent Carter and Shield had dealings with forms of dark matter."
"I have never had it behave as you are describing and I have worked with it for several months. However, pulling it into our dimension is what drains me," I acknowledged.
"This dog you made. It has not tried to pull you apart or absorb you?" asked Loki
"No," I replied, shaking my head.
Kang snapped his fingers and Sparky popped into the room. His eyes immediately sought mine and gave a friendly bark as he pranced to me. I kneeled to the ground to accept his kisses, tangling my finger in his coat.
Loki came beside me kneeling likewise. Sparky looked at him and then wagged his tail as he licked at Loki's hand. Dr. Strange looked down at us. "Very well," he muttered, lowering himself to the ground. Sparky let out a growl and Strange looked at me.
"I have never had a fondness for children or pets," he said.
"I think the feeling is mutual," said Loki as he stroked Sparky, who fell to the ground to roll, presenting his belly up to Loki for a rub. "This fellow feels so real," said Loki. "Wanda, does he possess a mind you can touch? Is there an evil, or darkness to him that he is concealing?"
I reached out to touch the top of his little head. "I only sense joy, and a single minded desire to please," I said. "Basically what you would expect from a dog."
Dr. Strange had risen and shook his head at my words, "I don't understand how he is possible. How can you convert dark matter and go unscathed?"
Loki spoke up, "Perhaps Wanda is more powerful than any of us can fathom. Many of my people have what you would call magic on Midgard. Magic was like sword play, a skill to be learned and mastered. My mother taught me how to use my powers. I never thought it was special, it was just how it was."
I looked at him in awe. "I wish I had had such a life," I said and then clapped my hand to my mouth as I realized I had spoken aloud.
Loki gave me an apologetic smile that reached his eyes, "It alright Wanda, I too only lately realized how lucky I have been. It's those without that remind us of what is truly important."
"I don't know Midgard magic but maybe Wanda is a magical being that can just control dark matter. Maybe she was meant to use that book of spells to bring order?" said Loki as he looked up at Strange as he continued to pet Sparky who was clearly in heaven at his hand.
"Agatha, that dark witch that tried to hurt my family said that I was using Chaos Magic." I stood up and Loki followed suit. I turned to Strange. "What is Chaos Magic? I want to understand. I have been trying to understand it all. Reading the Book of the Dam, or whatever you call it. I just want to know."
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