The Variant [Part One] [Wanda Maximoff [FF] | Elizabeth Olsen

Chapter 29

Wanda gasps as she dives right deep through the waves the strong currents violently twirl her around and around like a ragged doll, within the dark ocean is another being, a giant shark with sharp rows of teeth and instead of edged fins there are wings in place of them. Instead of two distinct eyes, the creature has a hundred red orbs glaring at the redhead — a monster straight out of a scuba diver's nightmare. 

Vulnerability… As much as it's humane to have them, we loathed their existence as it reflects our fears and insecurities.

Wanda manages to find floating debris and clings to it for dear life. When she thought that the beast was gone, its massive tail splashes from behind the redhead causing another tidal wave to submerge the woman once more. 

We detested the pain we could not cover from the eyes of everyone

The shark's orbs glared intensely as Wanda tried to flee from it. It manages to get a hold of the woman's arm and scratches it. Its tooth wounded the redhead's limb. Wanda attempted to fight back but her powers only caused a nick to the shark's tough exterior, infuriating it further as it whipped her backward with such great force that it propelled her with such great force that she hit her head on the nearby boulder submerged under the ocean, knocking her unconscious. 

"I can't do it… I caused them so much pain… I deserved this…" Wanda spoke as the guilt consumed her. Standing in the vast white expanse of her subconscious is another figure: a beautiful mermaid with long locks of hair, and a necklace made of fishes circling calmly around her neck, her tail shimmers with shimmering scales made of translucent silver. Despite her beauty, the Mermaid's appearance flashes a disturbing detail: her chest is wide open revealing her robust, beating heart that even under the ocean exudes so much blood that Wanda thought the mermaid would die from blood loss.

"I've caused so much war… So much killing… I cannot bear more…" Wanda continued.

The mermaid nodded, "I thought reliving your precious memories would give you a change of scenery. It seems that it has submerged you more… You've got so much to give, Wanda but you have so little faith in yourself. Have you ever wondered about all places… You landed in the world where the child is?" The mermaid said. Wanda knew that she was referring to Milla. She simply shook her head. The figure showed her a vision, another forgotten one that is buried by wave after wave of disaster 

'What have I done…' Wanda said as she covered her mouth in shock. The bomb was intended to be flown upwards, to prevent it from exploding to the locals but instead, she went out of control… It bursts right at the nearby building's upper story, injuring and possibly causing casualties within the establishment. It's her fault. She knew it was her fault… Despite Tony's instructions of locking her up while they settle the problem, she decided to sneak out.  She manages to evade Vision successfully by blocking the frequencies of the mind stone from Vision's system, still unaware of the extent of what she could do, or what her abilities could do. Wanda passes the hallway and notices the two sets of cameras at the corners, her eyes glowed red for a few moments before shutting the equipment down without destroying them physically she did the same to the gates Tony designed. Wanda carefully pulls her cloak downwards to cover her face from being recognized by the people of Lagos.

"Sir, please! We need food," Wanda heard nearby. She looked to the side to see a small group of people. "We just want something for supper!" The man begged Wanda, assumed to be the father. "Hhmmph!" A fat man huffed; he seems to be the owner of the stall. Her green eyes locked on his cart. There was enough food for a lot of people to share being in the place for quite some time. Wanda already recognized that they are also affected by the war in Sokovia; shortages of raw materials; inflation even to the basic necessities, and more importantly food. "Can't you understand that I'm saving up? Stop whining everyone is affected by that stupid war, not just you!" The fat man pushes the father backward. The man tumbled, nearly landing on his wife and two kids: a boy and a girl. The man stood up defeated, he looked at his wife, "Look let's just go find somewhere else," he gave her a small smile in an attempt to swallow his mortification. His wife nodded understandably, she held her two children and moved on to the next stall which was dangerously near the back alleys where snatchers typically hang out for an ambush. Wanda gritted her teeth in annoyance, red sparks manifested as she levitated towards the back alley and as silently as possible lifted at least 6 of them in the air and threw them to the other side of the wall.