Avengers: A Darker Shade of Scarlet

And All the Powers of Hell

After making up their minds, both teams moved out of the chamber. Dean looked at the heroes of this universe and couldn't shake the dark notion that they had said their final goodbyes to their teammates, their family. He reflected on Wanda's madness and power, both of which were insurmountable, and felt his terror mounting.

"Are you sure Wanda can't simply be reasoned with?" T'Chaka asked.

"We're passed that now," Strange said. "She's lost to the Darkhold."

"Still," Tony said. "There has to be something rational inside of her."

"Wanda's fueled by grief and her love for her sons," Dean said. "There's nothing she won't do- and no one she won't kill- to get them back."

Thor shook his head. "I cannot ignore the sense that we should be fighting with the others."

"It wouldn't do you any good," Strange said. "I hate to sound heartless, but the best we can hope for is that they delay Wanda."

Wanda stalked through the ground level, a smirk on her face. The Ultron sentries rushed her when she broke in. Attacking with a variety of energy blasts and melee attacks, each had met its end to her power. Tearing them apart had been simple enough. Then again, there wasn't a being alive that could stand in her way now.

Drenched in oil from the destroyed machines, she walked barefoot across the floor until she reached a large room that housed several towering statues of this universe's heroes- most of whom she recognized. On the far side, just before an elevator, there was a large and beautifully-designed aquarium. Ignoring her surroundings, she focused on America's location. She could feel her very near, and there wasn't a soul opposing her. Perhaps the so-called heroes had witnessed the destruction of their robotic army and decided to flee.

But then, because no one had the good sense to stay out of her way, a group of the heroes appeared before her. Reed dropped from above, his elastic body reconfiguring upon landing. A woman dressed in a similar bodysuit to the Captain Marvel Wanda was familiar with floated in, her body bathed in cosmic energy. The sound of a rocket resonated from above and Wanda watched as a woman bearing a shield landed with her allies. Blackagar floated down and crossed his arms over his chest. Rounding out the group was a sorcerer she'd not seen before. He stood with his comrades, a determined expression on his face.

Knowing that this wasn't everyone, Wanda looked around to see if more of them were closing in from behind. "Where are the rest?" She asked in a calm voice that conveyed no fear; there wasn't any within her.

"Wanda, this has to stop," Reed implored her. "We know what you're doing."

"Oh? And what is that?"

"You possessed an innocent woman," Reed carried on. "Please let her go. She doesn't deserve that."

"And what about what I deserve?" Wanda growled.

"Wanda, several of us have children of our own. I understand your pain."

"Have you lost your children, Reed Richards?" Wanda asked.

Reed shook his head. "No. But I can only imagine how it would feel if..."

"Until it has happened to you, you can't imagine. Don't try to reason with me. Don't try to manipulate me."

"No one's trying to manipulate you Wanda," Mordo calmly explained. "We're trying to help you."

Wanda tilted her head and smiled. "Help me? I don't need help."

"Oh, you're going to," Captain Marvel said, her fists igniting.

"You're the ones who will need help. Tell me- are your children's' other parents still alive?"

"Yes," Reed said.