The Adventures of Wanda Maximoff
By: Ariesque
Rated: PG or PG-13
Genre: Humor/Romance
Cautions: Mild language and violence if you may.
Disclaimer: Do not own X-Men Evo.
A/N: Wow, it's been a long, long time, folks, and I say that by just looking at the entries (back in December!). Well, I had major writer's block, but you don't want the whole story, and I won't admit the whole thing to you, but if it makes you feel better, I wrote a lot. Oh, and there are some places about mutant raiders which aren't part of John's past officially, and I won't really go into detail about it, so don't write angry reviews stating that there were no such things dealing with John. Okay, to the story...December 22
This was my day: woke up, failed to make bed, ignored the drapes I usually pull back, fixed my hair as best I could, went downstairs and walked past Fred who was eating a large bowl of ice cream. Went to the grocery store to pick up snow peas and face cleanser and came home to the Boys placing bets on a wrestling match. Lance invited me to join, but I declined, and Pietro spoke up about how chicken I was to lose money. So I said, I'll show you chicken, and chucked the snow peas at him.
Missing him by an inch, I then went back into my room and have been sitting miserably in the corner ever since.
December 23
I announced today that I would take up embroidery and if anyone needs me, I'll be in my room for the rest of my life. The Boys looked at each other questioningly, and Pietro laughed out loud, while Father ignored me completely, having to deal with Creed and his kitty-bits all over the living room floor again.
Augh. No one takes me seriously anymore.
December 24
I have come to the conclusion that Embroidery is not for me.
December 25
Father knocked on my door this morning, ordering me to put on a nice dress, we're going to Xavier's for a Christmas luncheon, and I thought about how I'd have to sit through boring discussion and see Rogue and Remy and all those X-Men, and therefore refused to go.
"I am your Father and I think it's best if you go," he said, rather impatiently.
"I am your daughter and I think I should stay."
"I am in charge of you and you better go or I will personally see to it you will never see the light of day again."
"I am in charge of myself, thank you very much, and I am already committed to never seeing the light of day again."
"You will not embarrass me in front of those X-Men! You are my daughter and you are GOING."
"I won't have to embarrass you if you had never agreed to this meeting. I am your daughter and I am STAYING."
So then he left, fuming and cursing, and I sit at the edge of bed with you, dearest diary, away from all that.
December 26
Today, the Boys lit the fireplace and started a fire, and I was forced to come out of the house for thick, black smoke found its way into my room. The fire department came and Father threw a fit, while the Brotherhoodians stuffed snow down Creed's shirt and hurled snowballs at my direction. There is a new hole in the roof above Todd's room, and there was discussion that he may need to stay in mine. I said, like hell that would happen, and pushed Todd into Fred who fell on top of Pietro who now complains incessantly of back pain and of course yours truly is the cause for all of this.
At least Todd is not to sleep in my room. Father insists upon it.
December 27
Spent the whole day in my room. It was five o' clock when there came a rapping on my chamber door, and I asked who it was, rather annoyed.
"Fred," said Fred. "I'm looking for Wanda. Are you in there Wanda?" I rolled unto my back.
"Maybe."
"Well, do you know if she could come out for a bit?" I took my time getting to my door. When I finally opened it, I found the Brotherhoodians standing behind Fred, who carried a small cake with most of the icing picked off.
"A cake?" I asked, a little surprised. "Whatever for?"
"Your birthday, of course!" said Todd, followed by Pietro who cried out, "You mean our birthday." I stared blankly at them all.
"Don't tell us you forgot your own birthday?" said Lance, a little sarcastically. Well, I'll tell ya, I did forget, and the Brotherhoodians couldn't believe it. They started to argue over getting me anything at all, when Fred asked, very patiently, if they could hurry it up, the cake would have to eaten soon.
So they lit a small candle, although they were all banned from lighters and fireplaces alike, and asked me to make a wish.
I wished and blew and everyone clapped and asked what I wanted for my birthday. I took a long look around before sighting something coming up the steps.
"John?" I blurted out, despite myself. Everyone turned. It was him all right, with that smug smirk of his and bold blue eyes, and it took about a minute for my shock to turn into anger. I wondered aloud how he got in.
"The front door was unlocked," he told us, walking past the Boys. "I thought I'd drop by to see how everyone's doing." He stopped in front of me. "How are you doing?"
Horribly, I wanted to say. "I manage," I told him, shrugging my shoulders. "And we were in the middle of something, before you rudely interrupted."
He looked around, settling his eyes on the half-eaten cake between Fred's hands. "Oh, a party, eh? Is it your birthday?" he asked me, which made Pietro yell, "Our birthday. It's our birthday."
"That would make sense." He smiled at me, and I frowned back. "How old are you both? Fifteen?"
"Eighteen," I said, flatly. "And you aren't allowed here."
"I beg to differ," he dared to say, which made the Brotherhoodians gasp.
"Didn't I make it clear I didn't want to see you again?" The Boys hurriedly walked down the stairs, away from the approaching shouting match.
"Not really, no," John replied, a bit ruffled. My fingers itched to hex.
"Well, I'm telling you now, Allerdyce, to get out of this house."
"I came to explain the whole Rogue situation." I noticed the Boys had stopped in their tracks and crowded against one corner to listen.
"I don't want to hear it."
"Communication works with relationships."
"What relationship? I ended it, remember?"
"Listen to me." He reached to take my wrist, but I pushed him away with a hex.
"You touch me, you die."
"A little bitter today, are we?" He frowned. "We don't have to keep fighting like this."
"No, we don't. I could just show you the door right now, Allerdyce."
"And why is that?"
I dropped my voice. "Because I can't stand you." I glanced at him, realizing emotion was balling up in my throat.
"I just came to say I was sorry."
"Sorry for what?" I pretended to be confused. Apparently, this did not phase him.
"I know what you want. I know you hate me because I still love Rogue." A gasp came from Pietro, and I wanted to shoot him a glare, but was too afraid to lift my eyes. Emotion was clouding behind them as well.
"I don't care if you still love Rogue." This was a lie and he knew it. I quickly leaned over the railing, pointing at Lance. "You, show John the door." He quickly obeyed, pulling Allerdyce down the stairs.
The Aussie turned his head to me. "Wanda," he said, his voice low.
"I can't imagine what more you need to say to me," I said, and walked into my room.
Augh! I'm so mad, but I'm not sure why.
December 28
Thought about it good and long and hard and decided that I was mad because John embarrassed me in front of the Boys, stating things like "love" and "Rogue" which mean nothing to me.
P.S. Did I mention I hate John?
December 29
I HATE HIM i hate him I HATE HIM
December 30
I was getting ready to go to sleep today, when Todd rushed into my room, breaking into a cold sweat and panting uncontrollably.
I screeched and yelled that he could have knocked, but he ignored all that and advanced towards me.
"Wanda, this is important."
"What's so important that you have to barge into my room like this?" He strode across and planted himself next to me.
"It's about John, yo." He scratched the side of his neck, impatiently. "I think it's best you come down and see for yourself."
"That's an awful subject," I said, blandly. "You should have never brought it up."
"Well," Todd said, paling, "it gets worse."
Curious, I rolled to my feet and opened the door, a peek's worth, seeing if anyone was outside. "Who did you say this was about?"
"John."
"And lately, have I been depressed about this 'John' ?"
"But--"
"Answer the question." Todd sighed.
"I should guess so."
"And therefore, it would be best if we leave it at that. So I suggest you go away and let me reflect on my own misery. Good night." I started to push him towards the door, but Todd grabbed the knob.
"We kidnapped him." I paused. The Toad, seeing this a good time to continue, said, "We visited an old friend of your dad's." Uh-oh. Any old friend of my father's was a foe to me. "Once again, Wandy, I think it's best you come down and see for yourself."
I threw on my tattered scarlet coat over my pajamas and quietly followed the Toad, bounding down the stairs and into Fred's room.
Along the side of the wall stood the rest of the Brotherhoodians, looking as if they were about to be convicted. And across from them laid St. John Allerdyce, out like a light and sprawled upon the bed.
I looked the scene over, considered the situation, and crossed my arms in front of me.
"Explain this--" I swept my arm over the unconscious John-- "all this to me."
"We kidnapped him, like I told you," Todd piped.
"And we brought him to Mastermind to, uh, erase his memories of the X-Men," included Fred.
"But stupid Pietro forgot to tip him," Lance shot a hard glance at my twin.
Seeing the blame being placed over his head, Pietro cried out, "It's not my fault! Mastermind didn't ask!"
"So, Mastermind erased John's entire memory, and now we don't know what to do," Lance ended, and the Brotherhoodians held their breaths.
"And I'm supposed to know! This is incredulous! I can't believe this...I don't believe this..." I paused. "How long has he been like this?"
"Two hours," Todd said.
"I thought we had him here for two days--" Fred quipped, before Pietro elbowed his stomach.
"Two days? Are you sure he's still living?" I asked. The Boys and I leaned closer to John. Still breathing, still alive. "Well, we can't keep him here while he's in a coma. Perhaps it's best if we bring him to Xavier's..."
At this, the boys gasped and took a step back from me. "Have we really no other resort?" asked my twin, so shocked, he twitched.
"Well, if you hadn't fried his memory, maybe we wouldn't have to resort to anything at all." I walked closer to the bed and the Boys followed. "Help me get him up."
John awoke then, and he wasn't exactly cooperative. Quick as a wink, he had thrown his arms around Fred, coiling into a very strong and very wicked headlock, from which Fred could only cry out. He yanked harder, and the Blob came down to his knees.
I noticed the Aussie now clasped a dagger in his hand, close to the Brotherhoodian's throat. "No one moves or Tiny gets it," he threatened. Everyone froze, save for Fred, who was trying to reach for John. A few moments passed before Lance jumped from behind, knocking John off and unto the floor. The dagger, I conclude, had found its way under the bed. The Aussie grabbed for it, and found Fred sitting on top of him, wearing a horrible scowl on his face.
I then threw Fred off and held Pyro to the floor with my hexes. "Quick, knock him out," I cried, and Pietro rushed over and played his fingers at John's neck, knocking him out cold.
I ripped shreds of cloth from the blanket and tied John's wrists together. To Pietro: "I didn't know you could do that."
Evil twin in turn flashed me a smug glance. "I know."
Fred carried the Aussie to the car and we drove to the Institute where we now await what Xavier has to say about poor John.
December 31
I am awful tired and my vision is hazy, but I decided to write anyway despite my fatigue.
It was late when we arrived at the Institute and it was a time before anybody turned off the alarm system (scary stuff, I should add). I got to the front door first, and quickly yelled for someone to open up, the sooner the better.
Mr. McCoy, blue and fuzzy and wearing spectacles, took one look at me and jumped.
I replied with a jump myself.
"Miss Maximoff! Isn't it a bit late to be out, especially on these steps?" he inquired, and I, still frazzled from running away from the stunt gun that had partially nicked me in the hip, hissed.
"It's not like I have a choice," I mumbled under my breath.
"Have you gotten the notion to join the X-Men?" he asked me, and I glared at him.
"I'm surprised that hasn't crossed my mind," I responded, flatly. The Boys had joined me and I noticed Lance's arm was bleeding considerably, having been hit from the hidden laser beam, no doubt-- "The Boys and I need to see Professor Xavier."
"Why is it that everyone thinks Xavier can..." he stopped when he saw John, hanging limply over Fred's shoulder, closely resembling a slain cougar. "You're lucky he's in tonight."
Mr. McCoy let us proceed then, explaining how the X-Men were sent home for vacation, since it was winter break. I knew without realizing it that Rogue and Remy would definitely be here, and openly frowned at this.
The one they call "Beast" led us to the lab room, where John was laid upon a lone examining table and plugged to a machine for scanning purposes, the scientist explained in the simplest terms. We also locked him into handcuffs, just in case he might wake up and try to murder one of us again.
A few minutes later, Xavier wheeled down to meet us, graciously, I should add, all the while checking John's pulse and ordering McCoy to bandage Lance's arm.
To me, he asked how Magneto was, and I half wanted to say how rotten he's been lately, but Pietro was standing there, so I told him that Father was Father and that was all he needed to know.
I explained how John had lost his memory in an unfortunate bout (leaving out Mastermind and the tipping disaster) and we were wondering how much of his memory was left, and what could be done about it.
We lingered awhile longer as John blinked awake after a half-hour of silence. He twisted to his left, then to his right, pulled at his prison cuffs and bellowed a most frightening bellow. He then asked where he was and where we had taken him and where we intend to keep him (which the same answer compliments all three questions), and kicked and fought unknown forces so terribly and nastily that Fred looked away and Lance deepened the worry lines in his forehead. Fed up with his confusion, I froze John with my hex. Quiet resumed, and I asked Xavier (very strained, for I was trying to hold patience), to see what memory he still held.
It took exactly ten minutes for Xavier to look my way again. "It seems your friend has been through some massive trauma," he mentioned, stroking his chin. I quietly considered how the light reflected generously from the Professor's bald head. "Much of his memory--mostly recent--has disappeared. For the most part, he thinks he's in Australia." The silence in the room was deafening, except for an occasional spasm from Todd. "And he believes he's been taken in by mutant raiders."
"Is there any way he could calm down soon?" Pietro asked, obviously getting tired of the situation.
Professor shook his head. "It's likely he'll be in the state of shock for a good few weeks." Groans from the Boys ensued and I shushed them. "Perhaps it should be best if he stay here then?"
We all deliberated this notion. "If it's no trouble to you," I finally stated, and the Boys nodded in agreement.
"Well, we can knock him out for a few hours," Mr. McCoy suggested to Xavier, but the Professor shook his head.
"Doubtful it will do anything. John just needs to fight the surprise. Right now, we can't promise anything." He wheeled to the door leading to the elevator. "And you all should return home. Magneto wouldn't enjoy the thought you being here, so no more unfortunate bouts, understand?"
We left after that, and I retreated to my room, where Icame to think aboutwhat I can do about this mess.
Next: Is there a chance that John might remember Wanda?
Or will circumstances keep them apart?
...stay tuned...
