Last time we checked, Bucky and Wanda were growing closer, which is a good sign because they'll need to work together after the huge reveal from last chapter where Anna showed what she just stole from Baron Mordo, who is still marching to their location on a firm step. Let's see what their plan is for this one!
Enjoy the reading!
SCARLET WINTER
Chapter 8: Connections and Explanations, Part 2 – New Strategies
Both Bucky and Wanda stayed dumbfounded when Anna showed them the medallion she stole from the Kurios Klan's Grand Master, but while Bucky just looked surprised that she stole something from the leader, Wanda is the one who looks like she is holding a weapon of mass destruction.
"By the Bright Lights of Mount Wundagore" Wanda whispers while she approaches Anna "Do you have any idea of what you have done?" she asks with deep concern, making Anna feel more nervous than before.
"Um, I-I-I wanted to take this away from him…T-This could hurt a-a-a lot of people" Anna replies, trying to regain her composure.
"How dangerous is that item, Wanda?" Bucky asks her, fearing the repercussions from having that object alone.
"That is a Soul Reaper Medallion" Wanda starts to explain "Think of the Native-American's 'Dreamcatcher' but fuse it with Dark Magic or Chaos Magic, depending of your inclination, and you have an item of extremely dangerous level" she reveals what that medallion does.
"Sour Reaper?" Bucky asks with a bit of surprise "So that object collects souls?"
"Collects them and sends them to its determined destination, depending of the wielder and the type of practice" Wanda replies, trying to illustrate as much as possible, knowing that Bucky and Anna are not precisely experts when it comes to magic.
"This is what killed my brother and his girlfriend" Anna interjects in the conversation "I know that this thing is dangerous as #$%& and I know you'll think that it was very stupid of me to grab this in the first place…" she tries to fight back the tears that threat to leave her eyes "But I just couldn't let them win…I was just hoping I could find a way to destroy them, then I was picked to become the new harvester and that's when I had my chance to do damage, that's why I took it"
"And that's why we have his acolytes behind us" Bucky replies, prompting Wanda to glare at him "I'm sorry, but I'm calling it as it is, if this cult is after her, is because she is holding this object" he points out that very important detail "And while I may not know about magic, I do know that this must leave some sort of trail"
"It does" Wanda replies, confirming Bucky's point "But it can be blocked, at least for a while" she explains, stepping back to move her hands and create an enchantment "Gorba Yabafarata Vabaradunke" she chants, creating a glowing red thin veil that envelops the medallion and then fades away "This creates a veil that, in the best case scenario, hides the location, hopefully fooling anyone who comes after it with a lower level of magic, like those acolytes we faced before" she explains to Bucky and Anna.
"And in the worst case?" Bucky asks out of curiosity.
"Weakens its level but still can be traceable with enough power" Wanda replies "But this will give us time, which we need now more than ever"
"That we can agree" Anna comments, looking at both of them "I'm sorry for giving you so much trouble with this" she speaks now with a remorseful tone.
"You called for help and here we are" Bucky replies "We'll not only help you…but we'll also make sure there's justice for your brother and his girlfriend" he adds, prompting Anna to smile in spite of a couple of tears falling from her eyes.
"Thank you" Anna whispers, wiping the tears from her face "Sorry for the cold and perturbing announcement, but that's the kind of stuff that happens when someone asks for answers, right?" she poses the question "So…I guess that now we should take a break" she comments, something that both Bucky and Wanda agree, nodding as their response.
With that said, they both head to their respective rooms, Anna shares hers with Wanda while Bucky takes another room, avoiding to disturb their privacy, thus ending the day with answers, but with a higher purpose for the next day.
THE NEXT DAY
The objective was clear for Bucky and Wanda, they must protect Anna and figure out what to do with the medallion, but to avoid giving Anna more concern, they both decided that it was best for her to spend the day with Lt. Salt and Sgt. Pepper in their antiques shop.
Sgt. Pepper tasked Anna to check their web system and learn a bit more about handling the cash register and work on their database while Pepper can handle a computer, she feels is way too advanced for her, and for her surprise, Anna handled herself very well, even proposing to work as their 'Community Manager' for social media, that way she could help them search for buyers across the country, but of course, that would depend on how things will be handled by Bucky once they all get out of this situation.
While she was working with them, Bucky tried to contact Daimon Hellstrom yet again, but as expected, there is no response from the 'Son of Satan', reaching his voicemail for the millionth time, starting to become a very frustrating thing for him.
"Daimon, it's Bucky, seems that either you lost that cellphone of yours, you changed your number and didn't bother to let anyone know, or you simply just don't care about your #$%&+ $& voicemail anymore but this is urgent…I'm dealing with a very bad magic cult situation, Scarlet Witch is helping me out but I could use some extra expertise, I'm sending you a photo of a magic medallion, it's a Soul Reaper or something, maybe you can tell me if there's a way to destroy it or something, so the second you get this message, call me back" Bucky leaves the message but once he stops talking, he groans in frustration, something that catches the attention of Wanda, who was nearby.
"You tried to find someone to help?" Wanda asks out of curiosity.
"Daimon Hellstrom, he's a teammate in a special-ops sort of team" Bucky replies, referencing the tea they both work with, Blade's 'Strikeforce' crew "But the guy just keeps reminding me of why he's a huge #$%&+ $&" he comments out of frustration.
"I don't blame you one bit, he can be that annoying back at the Academy" Wanda replies, sharing the same level of annoyance about Hellstrom, but that leaves Bucky a bit surprised.
"Wait, that guy works on that magic academy too?" Bucky asks her, looking dumbfounded about it.
"He does, he's friends with Stephen, that's why he had that job" Wanda replies, crossing her arms as she recalls all the annoying things she has dealt with him.
"You're telling me…that Daimon Hellstrom teaches in a school full of children and teenagers?" Bucky asks her, to which Wanda nods in response "You know? I'm still skeptical about those stories of Logan running that mutant school but this guy teaching in a school?" he poses the question, still sounding in disbelief.
"Well, he does teach about magic over there" Wanda responds "But he spends the rest of the time trying to hit on the women…I'll admit that he tried it on me, but he has failed miserably with everyone over there" she adds, leaving Bucky even more awestruck.
"Please tell me that guy is not wandering around shirtless" Bucky comments, but Wanda tries to hide the fact that he does, something that Bucky detects right away "Your silence speaks loud Wanda…" he sighs, shaking his head in denial "Anyway, this guy can't be trusted definitively…you had any luck?" he asks her.
"Actually, I was going to try to contact Stephen, maybe we could get some luck and find a way" Wanda replies "I'll need a favor though, could you please watch my body for me?" she asks him, leaving him a bit stunned.
"Wa-Watch your body? I mean, I don't think there's anything wrong with your body" Bucky replies, still surprised but Wanda blushes and laughs a bit.
"Sorry, I just realized that it sounded wrong" Wanda cannot help but laugh "I'll contact Stephen through the Astral Plane, meaning that my spirit will transverse over there, leaving my physical body here" she explains, to which Bucky nods his head, finally understanding her point.
"I get it now" Bucky comments "I'll keep an eye for anything" he adds, laughing alongside her.
After that brief exchange, Wanda sits on the floor, crossing her legs in a lotus position while she concentrates and gestures with her hands, channeling the necessary magical energy to be able to travel to the Astral Plane, trying to contact Strange.
AT THE ASTRAL PLANE
Once Wanda managed to boost enough energy, she heads straight to the Astral Plane, where only the greatest sorcerers can travel and even exploit all of their surroundings.
"Stephen?" Wanda tries to reach out to him, her red glowing spirit flying across the plane "Stephen, where are you?"
"I assume that something great must've happened Wanda" the voice of Doctor Strange is heard, manifesting his blue energy form in front of her.
"It did…that magic disturbance you were concerned about? It's a Soul Harvesting Cult" Wanda replies, starting to update the Sorcerer Supreme.
"By the Hoary Hosts…" Strange whispers with concern "Have you found the perpetrators?"
"Not yet, the cult has been operating for months, one member was infiltrating their ranks and stole a Soul Reaper Medallion" Wanda explains, further stunning her fellow sorcerer.
"You're telling me that a mortal is in possession of a Soul Reaper Medallion?" Strange asks her, sounding both concerned and upset about that fact "Please tell me that you took care of that situation"
"I managed to cast a spell of cloaking, but it's not a guarantee" Wanda replies "I was thinking that maybe we could do better if we bring the medallion to the Academy" she adds, hoping that Strange agrees.
"Wait a minute, what do you mean by 'We'?" Strange asks her.
"The Winter Soldier is assisting me, he's working on a case connected to the cult" Wanda responds, revealing her work with Bucky.
"Barnes…while I'm wary of his capabilities to handle a magic situation, or of him altogether" Strange comments, expressing his view of Bucky Barnes "I agree that you'll need help and Barnes, being a former Avenger, is suitable for that…just make sure that he won't disturb the process and don't even lose that medallion, understood?"
"You can trust me, Stephen" Wanda replies, although she sounds annoyed by his condescendence, but at least she is relieved that a new plan is building up, and with that she returns to the mortal plane in order to relay the news.
BACK IN MICHIGAN
While Wanda was travelling through the Astral Plane, Bucky was keeping a watchful eye over her mortal body, ensuring her protection and well being, hoping that she returns with good news for the mission.
"We're back!" Anna's voice catches Bucky's attention, turning around to see her arriving "Hey is there any chance that you guys could relocate me here? Because I'd totally love to work at Salt and Pepper's Antiques Shop" she comments, now looking at Wanda "Hey, is she OK?" she asks him.
"She's travelling to the Astral Plane, hoping to contact Doctor Strange and get a solution for the whole medallion thing" Bucky replies, then he looks at Anna "Everything good with the folks?" he asks her, to which she nods in response.
"They really need some help with the modern day stuff, very old-fashioned, Mrs. Pepper can handle herself a bit but modern technology can be complicated for the one with lack of practice" Anna explains, but before the conversation could continue, Wanda gasps as the signal of her return from the Astral Plane.
"Wanda? You OK?" Bucky asks with a hint of concern, but Wanda nods her head in response.
"Yes, yes I am" Wanda replies while she slowly takes a breath, recovering from the travel "I spoke with Stephen, he's willing to take us in at the Academy" she reveals the good news, but that surprises Anna a bit.
"The Academy?" Anna asks "You mean that magic academy you work on?" then she sees that Wanda and Bucky look at her as if they were saying 'How did you know about that?', causing Anna to act a bit nervous "Which I didn't knew about until now?" she tries to get out of the awkward situation, but she then sighs in resignation "Alright, I was faking being asleep on the road" she mutters, gritting her teeth.
"Yes, the Strange Academy" Wanda replies, looking then at Bucky.
"So it's settled then, we're headed to New Orleans" Bucky comments, to which Wanda nods, yet Anna seems a bit reluctant "Something's wrong, Anna?" he asks her.
"Don't get me wrong, I understand that we need to get moving to avoid being found by this crazy magic cult, but…I was starting to like it here" Anna replies, rubbing her arm with her other hand.
"I can see it, but the priority is to get you to safety and see how we could nullify this medallion" Wanda steps in, hoping to convince Anna.
"Here's the deal" Bucky now is the one who steps in "We go to New Orleans, and once the dust settles and we get rid of this clan, I'll talk to Sharon so you can get relocated here, alright?" he gives Anna a glimmer of hope out of this whole ordeal, something that not only she is grateful for, but also touches Wanda, seeing how much he wants to help her "With this said, tomorrow we'll head to Louisiana".
MEANWHILE
Karl Mordo had his goal clear, and he was getting closer and closer to it, until suddenly he lost the connection, he now feels a very faint signal, a blur, a whiff, as if it just faded out in thin air, and he knows the reason why.
"Someone's protecting that Medallion" Mordo muses in his mind while he sits to meditate "Whoever it is, it believes that they're safekeeping it, but they're just delaying the inevitable" he ponders as he concentrates, channeling his energies in order to focus on the medallion, to pinpoint its location and ensure where to find it, waiting for the right moment to strike "And once I get it, I'll make sure that no one will deal with Karl Mordo ever again…" he remains sit, meditating in a far away point amongst the woods, biding his time to make his move.
LATER THAT DAY
The day went by without any further details. Bucky explained the plan to Lt. Salt and Sgt. Pepper who understood perfectly the idea, and hope to remain in contact for further assistance, especially for Anna since Bucky also explained her story to them.
"Honestly, we'd wish for Anna to stay" Sgt. Pepper comments "But we understand the stakes, ad her wellbeing is very important, so do what you must do"
"We all appreciate it, and I promise you that when we get this done, she can come over here, she's very eager to help you with the store" Bucky replies, also telling them about the promise he made to Anna.
"And I'm sure you'll honor it, Buck" Lt. Salt comments "As for now, I believe you need to rest, you guys have a long road to take tomorrow" he adds, to which Bucky nods in response, heading back to his room and take a break, with all sleeping to regain energies and prepare for the road ahead.
THAT NIGHT
"You really want to protect her, don't you?" A voice startles Bucky, one he has not heard before, but yet it feels strangely familiar.
"Hello?" Bucky asks as he wakes up, slowly standing from the bed.
"You truly believe you can accomplish it?" Another voice is heard, startling Bucky but also putting him on high alert.
"Whoever it is, show yourself" Bucky walks to the door, staying sharp in case of bumping into an intruder but he discovers that on the other side there is nothing but darkness.
"One life saved to make up for all the ones you ended" A new voice is heard echoing in his surroundings.
"Maybe if she begs for mercy, that'll make you react faster" Yet another voice is heard, causing Bucky to breathe heavily.
"This joke has gone too far" Bucky mutters, searching for something to attack, but there is nothing but darkness around him.
"Just as far as the redemption you are looking for so long" Yet another voice emerges, but this time, several silhouettes start to take shape. Bucky see men and women, different ages, different attires, but all of them look ghoulish, almost like dead people, with bloodstains, bullet holes, knife scars and even charred marks.
"Dear God…" Bucky mutters as he finally recognizes them, for he is looking at every single person he has killed during his days as an assassin for the Soviets, all the people who help establish his reputation and his 'legend' as the Winter Soldier, all of them surrounding him.
"All of us begged for mercy, or at least some of us…for the rest, you never gave them the chance" one of the figures steps in front of him "And now you're desperate to help another poor soul"
"But you'll fail" another of the figures steps in front of him "Just like you failed before…"
"Just like you failed my son…" another one appears, but this one is more recognizable, Richie Boyle, the father of RJ Boyle, a teen trained by HYDRA that Bucky tried to help but failed after he accidentally killed his father due to his personal distrust of him "You'll fail that girl…you'll never be redeemed Barnes…never…"
"Never…Never…Never…" the voices keep repeating that phrase on a loop, over and over again, pushing Bucky to his edge, building his anxiety and his inner fear.
"No…No…No…" Bucky mutters, holding his head and closing his eyes, but then he clenches his bionic fist and punches forward "NOOO!" he screams, opening his eyes to see that he is back in his bedroom, sitting on the bed but breathing heavily, sweating from all the anxiety he just went through, but he then discovers that someone was watching him on the other side of the room.
"Bucky?" Wanda asks him while she slowly steps towards him…
"Wanda? What are you…?" Bucky asks her, starting to feel bad about scaring her.
"I…I heard you screaming and…I wanted to see what happened, are you OK?" Wanda asks him, showing great concern for him.
"I…I wish I were…" Bucky whispers, lowering his head, for he once again deals with the biggest burden of his life, one he constantly deals with almost every night.
Aaaaaaand another Cliffhanger! This is one of the most relevant parts of our story, for now I'm showing exactly what's the connecting point for both Bucky and Wanda: Their search for redemption and the personal pain of dealing with the burden of their sins; in Wanda's case is the whole "House of M" deal (which was further aggravated with her stunt in Empyre) while in Bucky's case is all the people he killed. This is the gamechanger for them, and in the next chapter, might as well be what brings them closer than before, so stay tuned for this major development!
NEXT CHAPTER: WANDA AND BUCKY MEDITATE!