Lieutenant - Daughter of the Captain

Chapter 35.0 - Party Tricks

"You need to relax," Wanda instructed Carter as they made their way to Ultron's hideout in a militant-looking vehicle; Ultron had used the scepter to brainwash the driver- making Carter very glad he hadn't decided to do the same to her.

"Sokovia needs to relax, not me," Carter quipped, her jaw clenched in pain as Pietro let go of her hand again.

The first lesson wasn't going well.

"Your powers are not your enemy, and neither are the people you're reading. You must stop thinking that way, it is why you are out of control," Wanda spoke wisely, before taking the girl's hand in hers.

They felt their powers fuse again, she heard the muted thoughts of the driver, and she noticed Pietro's mind was suspiciously silent.

He doesn't want you reading him, or being distracted by him...now let me try and see the problem...Wanda said, earning a slight eye roll from the girl.

"I see..." Wanda whispered, feeling the waves coming at them, "...you don't need a cage for your powers..." She trailed off, and spite and knew she was referring to her E.A.R.S.

"You need to train them, getting them to obey you rather than forcing them into submission," Wanda said, opening her eyes to meet Carter's gaze with a small smile.

Carter rolled her eyes again, "Yes, but how exactly am I supposed to...do that?" She quipped, her sarcasm shining through as she grew more comfortable around Wanda.

The woman chuckled, feel my powers, feel what I do...she spoke between their minds.

So, Carter closed her eyes and waited.

She had felt like she was constantly using Wanda's powers- like she was with her own -but that wasn't the case. When Wanda took over, she felt their power swell, it was as if she'd awoken a living creature inside of them.

It was much stronger than Carter had ever felt before, and the new level of power came close to overwhelming her.

Don't be afraid, it's a part of us...Wanda called, feeling her hesitation.

Hold out your other hand, and open your eyes...

Carter did as she was told, watching as Wanda's hand produced a writhing, scarlet ball of light.

Feel it...

Carter did, she felt the ball of energy through her connection with Wanda, like an extension of her- of them both.

Now, take it...

"What?" Carter blurted aloud, it echoing between their minds. The ball of light seemed to recoil as she felt her fear flow between them.

Wanda glared at her sharply, not malicious, just a scolding.

I don't know how, but right now- She lifted their joined hands -my power is your power. Take it so you know what it feels like, to hold a physical manifestation of what is inside of you.

Carter hesitated, but Wanda lifted her hand closer in urgency.

So she reached out with her free hand, still feeling the energy through her connection with Wanda. She touched it with the tip of her finger, and a tendril curled up towards her- almost like a cat rubbing against its owner for attention.

She glanced at Wanda, whose smug expression was trained on her. Without any further hesitation, she scooped under the energy and it rolled easily into her hand, she felt the power shoot through her arm at the connection.