Of Hearth and Home

Chapter Eighteen: The End Of The World As We Know It

Wanda trudged on, step by step, despite the pain. It felt like it was ripping through her forehead in an effort to escape. But the alien thoughts were clearer now, a running monologue of accusations and attacks.

She could feel her powers in use without her consent. She bit down hard, clenching her jaw, and redoubled her efforts to get to the scene.

She felt fever sick when she turned the corner and saw herself standing over her father. Like some forgotten nightmare come back to life, she began to move in slow motion as she approached, the pain now all encompassing and retarding her ability to think clearly.

"Stop!" She told herself through gritted teeth. Wanda extended an arm and went to cast her hexing power, but it did not leave her hands. Instead, she drew the hex that held Mystique in place and it began to move towards her mysterious double.

"NO!" The other barked, gesturing, and the hex-cloud moved back over Mystique, crushing her to the ground and she struggled to free herself.

The other turned her eyes on Magneto and those eyes began to burn with rage and intensity as the hex field around him began to draw the life out of his body.

Wanda forced herself to run unsteadily forward, her hands outstretched, but her powers unable to come. It seemed that she was creating feedback with the other Wanda and all they could do was vie for control of the energy already in use.

Wanda dove at 'the other'.

The other was shocked, but turned her eyes on Magneto. Then, the Wandas touched skin to skin.

Their memories collided psychically as they made the physical connection to each other; and they shook and spasmed under the weight of the memories that conflicted.

The hex fields began to abandon their purpose and instead began to stretch out to fill the surrounding area. It shimmered and glistened with expectation, growing ever denser and more alive with power as the Wandas surrendered it and crumpled together in their mad contest of wills.

Magneto knew, as he struggled to raise his head from the pavement, that they were dying. One was surely going to cancel the other out and the winner would surely wield the power of both.

He also knew that this meant he was facing even odds of dying in the next few moments and losing his daughter in the process.

His body was racked with a near volcanic pain as he forced himself up on his arms. He could barely move. She had almost killed him.

He reached for them, but his powers were lost in the surrounding Hex Cloud. He had the unsettling notion that any power he attempted to wield would be lost to him and gained by the surviving Wanda.

"Inheritance." He whispered, surprising himself, as he forced his body to respond to his will and rise. He cast his eyes around for Mystique – she was trapped in the energy cloud. She couldn't penetrate it and although she was shouting, he could not hear her.

No way out. He realized. It's me … or the both of us …

Magneto raised his eyes to the heavens in a silent prayer for strength and staggered as fast as he could, trying to gain momentum as he rushed towards the Wandas.

The red haired Wanda sneered in to her rival's face. She didn't know how she had been copied or who dressed her twin, but one thing was certain. The dark haired Wanda lacked the aggressive fire of her counterpart; and it was costing her – her very life.

The Dark haired Wanda raised her head to look past the red-head's shoulders. "Dad … run…" Was all she could manage to say before collapsing unconscious.

And Magneto dove, throwing himself between them, pushing them apart, and throwing himself down on top of the dark haired Wanda.

The victorious Wanda stood up strait, obviously shocked at the gesture. Her mind was reeling with the dying girls memories and she shook her head to clear it and confirm her vision.

He's shielding her … placing his life … She shook her head. It wasn't possible. He does not care. She told herself, knowing it had long been true, but finding herself suddenly unsure.

"Get up!" She cried, the energy field weakening around her and growing thin.

"GET UP!!!" She demanded, but to no avail. Because try as he might, he could not lift himself. Not even enough to turn to face her.

Tears began to roll down Wanda's face as she looked down at them. She squinted as she saw Magneto, crippled and weak – as he leaned, protectively, over her newfound twin, breathing heavily in pain and the expectation of sudden death.

Wanda ran a hand through her hair as her body began to convulse in devastation and rejection.

And the energy field broke around them, vanishing in a twinkling, and carrying with it the feeling of total abandonment that one can only come to know through the actions of a parent.

Wanda didn't even decide to run, sobbing, from the scene. She just suddenly found herself recovering, as she distanced herself from her counterpart and her head began to clear.

When she looked up a moment later, she discovered that she had returned again, to the cheapest bar in Bayville.

Back in the mansion however, people were beginning to leave for the holiday vacation. Most everyone was packed and Derek knew that Kurt would soon be leaving as well.

"Vhat are you do-ing?" Kurt asked suspiciously through Derek's semi-opened door. He laid a hand on the door and opened it as he stared

Derek, in turn, took his two neatly folded 'Xavier Institute' sweatshirts and stuffed them in to his institute issued duffel bag. He turned back to the dresser and pulled out his tee-shirts then crammed them in to the bag as well.

"You're packing." Kurt observed. "You know we're only leaving for the holiday. You could stay if you wanted."

Derek smiled. It was obvious that he knew.

"But you're coming back, right? After the …" But he couldn't finish. He could feel it in the air between them. "You're not coming back, are you?"

Derek looked kindly on his confused little brother and shrugged widely, holding his hands apart.

"But you're not planning on it, are you?" Kurt asked, sounding hurt.

Derek sighed and motioned that Kurt should come in to the room. Kurt, perhaps expecting something, closed the door behind him.