My mind, a vortex of power and potential, was now in a dream. I found myself in the heart of a village, but it was not one I recognized. The buildings were old and not of this world, the streets bustling with people with pointy ears and demons. I was walking through the crowd, my heart pounding with a sense of urgency I could not explain.
In my hand, I held a shard. The shard was one of the broken memories I was trying to put together. On the shard was a horrifying image of a boy I had no memory of. Yet, as I looked at the face in the picture, an intense feeling of familiarity washed over me. A dead expression, dead eyes, as well as a sense of protection. I couldn't remember the name, the details, or the connection, but I knew this person was someone important to me.
As I walked, the village around me began to blur. The Village morphed into a cell, the bustling crowd turned into a solitary figure hanging by his arms. The figure was stiff, unmoving- but here was the boy that I was trying to learn more about than my own self.
I wanted to call out, to reach out, but a fear gripped my heart, a fear of the raw emotions that bubbled just below the surface. I could feel the sting of tears welling up in my eyes, the lump in my throat. I wanted to run, but my feet were rooted to the spot.
Every time I tried to recall the boy's name, a wave of guilt washed over me. It was as if I had forgotten a part of myself, a part that was now lost forever. A part that was so integral to my being that the mere act of forgetting was a betrayal.
I felt a hand on my shoulder, pulling me out of my thoughts. I turned and found my looking at a older woman with long unkept gray hair. Her eyes filled with understanding and compassion. She said nothing, but her presence was comforting. It was a reminder of how I had learned to navigate the tumultuous waters of my emotions.
"Wanda," She said, her voice gentle. "It's okay to remember what your father did to you. It's even okay to feel hatred towards him. But you must also forgive yourself. You can't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. That's why he is here, , he is your _ after all." She said as she gave a thumbs up towards me.
I looked back at the boy, tears brimming in my eyes. I realized what my subconscious was trying to tell me. I needed to confront my past, my guilt. I needed to remember, to grieve, to let go.
With a deep breath, I stepped forward, towards the boy, towards my forgotten past, towards healing. I didn't know where this path would lead me, but I knew she had to walk it. For myself. For my friend. For the boy in the picture whose name I couldn't remember, but whose memory I would honor.
I was suddenly pulled out of my dream, getting pushed smacked down into a chair. Rubbing my face, I looked down at the shard in front of me. "I still cant access that memory." I said as I stood up and walked over to the window of the apartment building I was staying at.
However, I did get further into it than last time. The woman, I had seen her image in one other place, and that was somewhere I had not been in so long. I needed to leave, to return to America. My long trip around the world to discover the source of my magic was now sending me home.
Two Weeks later
I now stood outside the imposing gates of the X-Mansion, my heart pounding in my chest. I had come here uninvited, hoping to find answers and perhaps even some solace. I knew that the X-Men might not welcome me with open arms, but I had to try.
As I approached the entrance, the tension in the air was palpable. The mutants I encountered gave me cold stares, their eyes filled with suspicion and mistrust. I could sense their apprehension, their fear of my powers and the chaos I had inadvertently caused in the past.
My steps faltered as I made my way through the mansion's halls. I felt like an intruder, an unwelcome guest in a place I did not belong. The X-Men, a symbol of hope and unity, regarded me as an unpredictable threat.
Finally, I found myself standing outside the door to Charles Xavier's study. Taking a deep breath, I raised my hand and knocked gently. The door swung open, revealing the wheelchair-bound professor. His expression was inscrutable as he looked at me.
"Wanda," Charles Xavier said, his voice tinged with a mix of caution and curiosity. "What brings you here?" He questioned with a smile none the less.
"I... I need answers," I replied, my voice trembling slightly. "I need to understand what happened to me, to my memories." I informed, as it has been years, almost four years since I had spoken to him.
Charles motioned for me to enter the study, and I stepped inside. The room was filled with books and artifacts, a testament to Charles' vast knowledge and experiences. "I can't promise you all the answers, Wanda," Charles began, his voice gentle. "But I will do my best to help you." He said, where I placed a hand over my heart.
I felt a glimmer of hope ignite within my chest. I had come seeking guidance, and Charles was willing to offer it. Perhaps I could find some semblance of peace amidst the chaos that had consumed my life. "Thank you, Charles," I said, my voice filled with gratitude.
Charles wheeled himself toward a bookshelf and retrieved a dusty leather-bound journal. He handed it to me, and I opened it carefully. The pages were filled with writings and sketches, detailing the lives and experiences of my history in the asylum, to returning to him after escaping, and asking him for air in finding someone named Dakota, and a Witch named Eda as well as a pet demon named King, who was given the nickname King of the Demons.
"There is one person who has your memories." Charles said, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and understanding. "She is someone who you don't trust, but her power allows her to access the memories of others. She resides in the sub-basement at the moment, and has been doing her own research into your friends from the demon world."
My heart skipped a beat. The possibility of finding my lost memories, of reclaiming a part of myself that had been shattered, was overwhelming. I clutched the journal tightly in my hands, my eyes shining with determination.
"Dakota... Thank you, Charles," I said, my voice filled with renewed hope.
Charles nodded, his gaze filled with empathy. "Remember, Wanda, the past cannot be changed, but it can be understood. Embrace your journey and find the strength within yourself." He said as he smiled.
With those parting words, I left Charles' study, my mind buzzing with anticipation. I made my way to the sub-basement, my steps filled with purpose. As I descended into the depths of the mansion, I couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead.
Later
I cautiously stepped into one of the rooms in the sub-basement, my eyes scanning the walls adorned with symbols and pictures. The symbols seemed ancient and arcane, their meanings lost to time. But as I examined them, a sense of familiarity washed over me. It was as if they were calling out to a part of me that had been buried deep within.
In the center of the room, I noticed Rogue was at a desk, fast asleep. The mutant's face was peaceful, yet there was a hint of sadness etched upon her features. I couldn't help but wonder what role Rogue played in my lost memories.
Charles followed closely behind, his wheelchair rolling silently across the room's wooden floor. He approached Wanda and spoke softly, "Rogue has been searching for a way to access the demon realm, the very memories that you have lost." He informed, with me looking at him.
My eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and hope. I had always sensed that my lost memories were connected to something otherworldly, something beyond the realm of my understanding. And now, it seemed Rogue was on a quest to unlock those memories.
"Is she... capable of helping me?" I asked, my voice filled with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.
Charles nodded, his eyes filled with a profound empathy. "Rogue possesses a unique ability. Through physical contact, she can absorb memories and powers from others. It is possible that she holds fragments of your forgotten past within her." He informed, with me nodding as I needed those memories.
I took a step closer to Rogue, my gaze fixed on the slumbering mutant. I couldn't shake off the feeling that our paths were intertwined, that Rogue held the key to unlocking the mysteries that plagued me.
With a deep breath, I extended her hand and gently touched Rogue's arm. I gently shook Rogue's shoulder, rousing her from her slumber. The mutant's eyes fluttered open, and she blinked in confusion for a moment before focusing on Wanda standing before her.
"Hey, Rogue," I said softly, my voice filled with a mix of anticipation and vulnerability. "I need your help. I think you have some of my memories." I said, hoping she would understand.
Rogue sat up, her gaze locking with mine. There was a flicker of recognition in her eyes, as if she was piecing together the fragments of our shared past. She spoke cautiously, her voice tinged with curiosity and apprehension. "Dakota, right? How could I forget the person you abandoned?"
I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts as I tried to find the right words with her. "I... I didn't intend to abandoned someone in the demon realm. This... Dakota... he is a... A friend. And I was told that you absorbed my memories." I said, with her nodding. Have you met him before? You appear to... be interested in him." We have the same abilities, but his are more powerful than mine."
Rogue's brow furrowed, a mixture of concern and realization crossing her face. "So, you don't remember?" She asked, with me nodding. "We have the same powers, Dakota and I. I gain powers and memories, and he takes life. If my guess is right about his powers, then he also takes their souls if he kills them. He uses the life force he takes to heal his body, as from what I've seen about his powers from your memories." She said as she pulled out a book that has a strange symbol on it. One that I recognize.
"Mephisto?" I asked, with her nodding. "What does Dakota have to do with Mephisto?" I asked as I was lost.
"In this book, I've learned more on Dakota than your own memories." She said as she opened it. "It speaks of his father, and yes, I tracked his family down and learned about each of them, this was his fathers book." She said as she looked up at me. "He sold his own sons soul to Mephisto to keep his wife alive. He also has something going on with his soul, according to another source I can't reveal." She said as she stopped me from asking with a finger. "Anyways, he was supposed to permanently kill Apocalypse, but because he was trapped in the Demon world, I ended up sending him through time instead." Rogue said, with my eyes widening.
"So... Apocalypse will return?" I asked, with her nodding.
"Yes, and if we can't get Dakota back here, there will be no killing him." Rogue said, with Charles moving next to her.
"Now you see why she has devoted herself to finding a way to the demon realm. Apocalypse was strong enough to take all of us down. Dakota is supposed to be strong enough to end him by himself. He is humanity's strongest defense against him." Charles said, with me rubbing my head as I hated that we ended up in the demon realm.
"How did we even end up there?" I questioned as I walked over to one of the free seats and sat down. The I remembered a door with an Eye."Yes. There's a door to the demon realm, and it's in Connecticut!" I said as I stood up.
"We know, only problem is, we can't open the door from this side!" Rogue informed, with me groaning and sitting back down. "You two followed an owl inside, they bird has the doorway. Then there is your friend, Eda." Rogue said as she tossed a flyer at me, with me catching it and seeing the woman from my dreams running out of a shop. "She frequently appeared there, and is banned from most shops there."
"We find Eda, we find the door. We find the door, we find Dakota!" I said as it sunk in. "Let's go! She is blunt to show up!" I said, turning around and making my way towards the door.
"That is your mission." Charles said, with me stopping and looking at them. "You know the door, the woman and where. We can't help you with this any further." Charles said as he looked at Rogue.
"See, the source I got most of the information from, wasn't too happy to learn what happened to her so called Champion." Rogue said as she pushed her chair back, showing that her right leg was completely bone, up to her hip. "Until he is found, I won't have my leg back. She is powerful, and not even my touch works on her." She said as she placed a hand on her leg.
"Fine, I'll do it myself." I said as I turned around and walked off. "I'm sorry for putting you through this, both of you." I apologized, not wanting to drag others into this rabbit hole I was digging up.
Later, Connecticut.
Guided by memories that seemed to resonate within me, I was determined to unlock the secrets concealed within time itself. My quest led me to a small, picturesque town nestled amidst rolling hills and vibrant foliage.
My purpose was clear—I sought Eda, a witch from what my memories told me. As Scarlet Witch, I possessed formidable powers myself, but there were depths within my memories that remained shrouded. I believed Eda might hold the key to unravelling the enigmatic puzzle of her past.
With focused determination, I scoured every corner of the town, questioning locals and investigating every lead. I wandered through quaint bookstores and even the school, hoping to stumble upon a clue that would lead me to Eda's doorstep. Yet, the more I searched, the more it seemed that Eda was a mere phantom, a figment of my fragmented recollections.
My hope began to wane. Doubts crept into my mind, whispering that perhaps my memories had deceived me, leading me on a wild goose chase.
deciding to take a break for the day, I found myself lost in contemplation. I needed tea, better yet coffee. Natasha taught me that the most popular places to go for a small town are coffee shops, the small ones, not like Starbucks or the like. You can gather more intel there than anywhere.
Later
The coffee wasn't good, nor was it bad. I did notice that everyone was staring, and I knew why. Because I was a known criminal, as well as so called hero. I was popular even when I didn't want to be. I wasn't going to be the one to approach them. If they wanted to talk they had to approach me.
"Excuse me, aren't you Wanda Maximoff?" A young woman asked, making me cough up the coffee I just took a sip of. I didn't expect anyone to just come up and ask that right then and there. She had guts. If I were anyone else she would of been killed. Looking her over, I saw her name tag had Camila Noceda on it, and that she was a veterinarian. Her eyes wide with both surprise and excitement.
I nodded, a faint smile forming on my lips. "Yes, that's me." I said as I held a hand out to the seat across from me, offering her a seat, which she took.
"My daughter Luz is a huge fan. She is going to freak that I got to meet you. Luz is an incredible girl, full of wonder and curiosity," Camila began, confusing me on why she would talk about her daughter and not herself if she was a fan. "She's been fascinated by magic and witches ever since she was a little girl. It's amazing how much she admires you, even though you've been portrayed as a criminal in the media." She said with a sad smile. "What brings you out here?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
My curiosity piqued at the mention of Luz's interest in magic as well as myself. "I've been on a personal journey to understand my own past. Someone I know is around here somewhere, I think?" I answered, still unsure on how I should ask her about Eda. "Is Luz at school?" I asked as she had to be a kid.
Camila sighed softly. "Luz is currently on a camping trip with her friends. She doesn't really fit in with most kids.. or at all. She's been researching about witches, trying to uncover secrets and understand your past as well." She said, with me questioning on why she would be looking into my past.
Intrigued by the young girl's dedication, I hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Would it be possible for me to see Luz's room? I believe there might be something there that could aid me in my own search for answers." I asked, with Camila thinking about it.
Camila considered my request, her eyes filled with a mixture of caution. After a moment, she nodded. "I understand your quest for answers, Wanda. Luz's room is a reflection of her passion and dreams. Come, I'll take you there." She said as she stood up, even paying for my drink. I smiled at this and followed her to her home, hoping to shine some light on my past.
Later
As we entered Luz's room, I was enveloped by an atmosphere of enchantment. The walls were adorned with sketches of mystical creatures, shelves lined with books on magic, and a desk cluttered with potions and spell scrolls. All fake of course. The walls were of some Witch Azura and even Myself, though they were fan art by the looks of it.
I examined the room, my eyes tracing the evidence of Luz's fervent research. Each item seemed to hold a story, whispering tales of a young girl's aspirations. "I can see why Luz is drawn to magic." I mused, my voice filled with a mixture of admiration and nostalgia. "She possesses a unique spirit, just like Eda, the witch I've been searching for." I said as I turned to look at Camila. "Does that name ring a bell?" I asked, with her shaking her head.
"Luz has always had a knack for finding her own path, even if it means venturing into the unknown. Perhaps fate has brought you here, Wanda, to guide her or be guided by her in return." Camila suggested as I picked up a folder with my name on it. Opening it, I found an image of myself and some boy running in the asylum.
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As I studied Luz's research on me, I couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and trepidation. The files contained information about her time in the asylum, which triggered memories I had long suppressed. The details were hauntingly familiar, and I realized that my younger self had gone missing during that tumultuous period.
The documents revealed a startling revelation—that my younger self reappeared in New York during the battle against Apocalypse, the Mutant god. My mind raced with recollections of that chaotic time, the immense power she had wielded, and the consequences that followed.
Intrigued by the connection between Luz's research and my own journey, my focus shifted towards the young girl. I yearned to understand the extent of Luz's knowledge and how it intertwined with my own past. With a mix of determination and caution, I decided to track Luz using her formidable powers and cast a spell discreetly, without Camila Noceda's knowledge of course.
"Thank you, Camila." I said as I closed the folder and set it down on the desk. "This has given me some... clarity on some of my past." I said as I looked at her. "I believe I know the next area I should look. The Asylum." I said, with her raising an eyebrow at me.
"No problem? It's good to help someone every once in awhile." Camila said with a forced smile as she led me out. Stopping before walking out of the room, I took a pen out and signed the poster of me before leaving, wanting to bring a smile to the girls face as she sees what I had done.
Later
Now standing outside of the school, I casted my tracking spell to find Luz. It was a long walk, having traced it almost everywhere around town. In the end, the spell led me to a seemingly ordinary shack instead of the anticipated campground like her mother had said. As I stood before it, a wave of memories washed over me. I recalled the shack as a portal, a gateway that had once transported us to the demon realm.
A sense of foreboding gripped my heart. I hesitated for a moment, contemplating the risks involved. But my insatiable thirst for answers propelled me forward. With a steady breath, I stepped into the shack, ready to confront whatever awaited me on the other side.
As the door creaked open, I found myself engulfed in the eerie darkness of the shack. The air crackled with an otherworldly energy, and shadows danced ominously. Undeterred, I pressed on. Deeper into the shack, determined to uncover the truth that lay hidden.
With each step, the shack seemed to morph, revealing glimpses of the demon realm I had once traversed. Whispers echoed through the darkness, as if the spirits of my past were beckoning me forward. My heart pounded in my chest as I braced herself.
A panic attack. I was having a panic attack! I needed to leave, get far away from here as possible! Reaching for the door, I stopped once I saw him. A ghost or maybe a hallucination due to the panic attack. He was standing there, holding his hand out to me, telling me to stop. He shook his head just before vanishing.
Then and there I knew that I had to wait, and wait I shall. Pulling out my phone, I made a call. "Tony, I need a favor."