Home

Nowhere

Wanda lay on the ground, buried in exhaustion and grief. She didn't notice the pulses of energy growing around her. It went in every direction, in the air and underground. The ripple traveled all the way to Egypt, reigniting long buried relics. The people chanting around the broken pyramid didn't notice the pulse pass through them, but the genetic researcher trying to escape the rubble recognized the outside force that triggered the collapse.

Pietro collapsed onto the bed in his shared dorm after he brought in his essentials all the way from home. His roommate was a blue creature, with the ability to teleport. Kurt welcomed Pietro to the school and told him the secret of his new room; it blocked their powers.

"Noo sneaking out here, huh!" Pietro quipped.

"Well, the school is armed. You couldn't get far anyhow. Is your dad really Hawkeye?" Kurt asked, amused that his new roommate knew an avenger.

"He's not my real father, but yeah. He's our dad now," Pietro sat up on his elbow, enjoying his roomie's excitement. "Who's your favorite?"

"I like Thor. He can go to other realms."

Pietro laughed. "Of all the reasons to like Thor, that's the one you go with?"

Kurt blushed. "Well, ya! It's literally my whole thing. Did you say 'our'?"

Pietro sighed and laid back again, staring up at the ceiling. "My twin sister. Wanda. She's missing. That's why we came here in the first place."

"Don't worry, roomie. You're in the right place. You'll find her soon. Wanna go explore the house?"

"Sure!" Pietro agreed and followed his new friend for a tour around the mansion.

———

"Wanda! You're going to be late for school!"

Wanda woke up straight up in bed. Wasn't she just in the middle of nowhere?

"Wanda! Hurry up you won't have time for breakfast."

Wanda got out of bed and instinctively headed towards the bathroom. A rush of wind blew by her and a moment later, Pietro was in her face. "Sorry, left my sweatshirt. Hurry up, slow poke." He ran away again, making her miss his red irises.

Wanda went downstairs after getting ready for school, joining her younger siblings for breakfast.

"Morning," mom greeted her with a plate of waffles and sausage patties. "Don't you have the Drama club auditions today?"

Wanda hummed in surprise over her bite. "Right, yeah. After school. Kamala and I are hosting them, with Luke. So, I'll be late coming back."

"Ooh, auditions sounds so fun! I wish I could watch."

"Well... you can," Wanda started as she took her cutlery to the sink, "IF you bring us some snacks!"

"Honestly, I'm raising a bunch of freeloaders!" Laura laughed as Wanda ran to pick up her bag and nag her father.

Clint hurriedly took the last bite of his breakfast and followed the kids out. He dropped off the little ones before taking the twins to the high school. Pietro was off towards his friends the moment the car pulled up. Wanda took a second to say goodbye to Clint, ignoring his red eyes.

A horn shook her and Wanda turned to the car behind her. Mr. Stark gave her a two finger wave from the steering wheel and Steve waved at her from the passenger seat. Wanda waved back at them and waited for their son to come out, but instead he popped up behind her!

"Vis!" She punched him. You scared me!"

Vision laughed. "Sorry, darling. Good to see you. Shall we?" He escorted his girlfriend inside.

The couple went their separate ways as the first bell rang, off to first period. Wanda was texting on her way in the door, ignoring the teacher as she found her seat. Suddenly, her phone pulled out of her hand and she looked up irritated.

"Good morning, Wanda," the teacher pressed.

Wanda sighed. "Sorry. Good morning, Mr. Lehnsherr!" She spitefully sang and snatched her phone out of the air.

Wanda felt as if she was in a daze, living, but something was off. She didn't acknowledge any faces beyond the people she knew - in real life. It just didn't register in her mind.

Until later.

She was walking with her friends to their next class when a wheelchair came in their way.

"Ms. Barton, I've been trying to find you. Can I have a word with you in my office?"

Wanda noticed and acknowledged the man, but had no name for him. "Sorry, Mr. Principal. I'll be late for class. Catch you later," and she walked away.

The group of friends walked away, going into their last period history class. After housekeeping, the lesson began.

"So, who can tell me facts about government in ancient Egypt?"

———

Across the world in present day Egypt, the first mutant took a big breath and he stood gathering his strength. He walked past the bodies of those who had awakened him and was on his way out of the pyramid when an energy force ran through him.

En Sabah-Noor inhaled deeply as if taking in the scent of his life force. He smiled to himself, no one around to witness him.

"Yes. That will do perfectly."