She's Not Alone (WandaxNatasha)

Chapter 1: A Path

Echoes.

The slightly eerie way your voice or that of another rebounds off a surface and back to you.

I don't think I'm in my right mind. But who am I to tell at this point?

Magic. Chaos.

No.

I'm not going down this path again. I know where this leads, to the painful memories of the past month. The blip, the battle, the loss. I have something new, something I took from... from Agatha.

The name plucks at my nerves, like a tightly strung bow a note so clear yet filled with incomprehensible meaning. The emotions and memories it rouses are too fresh to bear. I have to process them, I can't fall again.

But who says you will, who says you can't do it again but better.

That voice, the one I have finally stopped quelling. 

Listen to yourself, frantic at the sight of old memories. Together we can do anything and everything. Just let me in, I'm only here to help.

It taunts me, attempts to beguile me, seduce me with its scheme. And while it's tempting, I know that I'm the one in control. I won't give this part of me the wheel. Not until I learn more.

That book.

The Darkhold.

Full of magic, spells, and things I can learn and use. But I need a friend, can a book be a friend?

I can be a friend, or I call recall one for you. Just ask, it's the least I can do for you. Reality manipulation is so trivial. You have done it before, why not again?

"No" I shout, forcing the voice into the back of my head. "That is not a good option."

I get up, from my spot on the stairs and make some tea. I know I need someone, but I'm not sure how. I don't want another Westview incident.

Westview.

This is our home now. I want us to fit in.

"I need someone" I mumble. But in my head my options are scarce, who could I go to. Everyone is struggling just like me. 

The real question you should be asking is, who do you need? And the answer is obvious. Me.

"Not you, not yet." I pound my head, thinking about who could help. Finally, the fog in my brain clears, and names come forth.

Clint.

Steve.

Scott.

Hope.

The only one who could even remotely have a chance at helping me would be Clint. But even he won't understand me, I find it so strange that he's the one I bonded so closely to over all these years.

Strange.

Dr. Strange! 

Not an option, you can't reach him.

For once I do listen to the other part of me. And this time I let it lay out the plan for me.

First, you must read the Darkhold.

Then, learn how to take a form that few can master.

Then you can reach into the NetherRealm, and summon whomever you want to see.

A friend, or family.

"And how will this end?" I ask. "I don't know what could be a 'form' that few can master."

Asking more questions will only get you the answers you won't want to hear. Lucky for you I am already a part of you and thus our shared conscience doesn't allow me to lie to you.

"Already a part of me? What on Earth are you talking about?"

Do you want your original question to be answered or not?

"Yes," I grumble. I never knew how hard it was to argue with yourself.

Good. The answer to your first question is that it will end however you want it to, but only if you do as I say. You won't make the same mistakes as you did the last time.

"Explain this form thing and also how you are going to be able to control any of this" I'm puzzled at the situation. I must say that this voice is awfully convincing, and I'm starting to feel inclined to go with this plan.

The form is called astral projection, your associate, the doctor can assume this form quite easily. But as you are more powerful than him, you can do it better. And I will always have control over you.

I AM YOU.

"What?" I gasp. "No that, that can't be possible!"

You are the Scarlet Witch, a nexus being. Your very existence coincides with the multiverse. Thus your different selves influence you. It's quite simple actually.

"That can't be right," I say. "I'm just myself, no one else."

That's what you think. But I can tell you aren't used to this kind of solution so I'll let you think about it.

Bring back someone I love, I could bring back Vision.

Hate to intrude but that's not a smart idea considering the events of the last time that happened.

"Fair point" I agreed. It's tempting but I have other options. "Last question: why specifically the NetherWorld instead of calling someone I know in my... area"

 A better word would be dimension. A NetherWorld is a place where those who have fallen can rest. The one you can reach with this plan contains all those you have lost over the years.

"Anything else I should know before trying to make a decision about this?" I ask with some amount of disbelief.

Yes, actually there is, firstly know that it will probably alert your friend because he is the Sorcerer Supreme. You'll have to deal with him.

"Manageable," I shrug. "They do say I'm stronger than him"

But you can only bring back one. 

Then for the first time in weeks, I feel this other part of me leave. And it takes some of the weight that has been slowly crushing me with it.

But the echoes. 

The echoes remain.