AURORA

Detained

Aurora thought about Natasha's words, feeling a growing sense of unease. She looked at Wanda, who was still looking pale and unsteady.

Doctor Strange stepped closer to Aurora, lowering his voice. "You can't trust Natasha's words completely. She might be influenced by whatever is manipulating the energy here."

Aurora's eyes flashed with anger. "Natasha wouldn't lie to me, Stephen. She wouldn't.."

Stephen sighed, seeing the determination in her eyes. "Just be careful, Aurora. There's more at play here than we understand."

Aurora felt overwhelmed. "I need some air," she muttered, heading towards the door.

As Aurora walked outside, the cool air did little to calm her nerves. She needed to clear her mind, to think about what was really happening.

Inside, Sophie watched Aurora leave and then turned to Wanda, her concern evident. "I think I should go. I don't want to cause any more tension."

Wanda nodded weakly. "Maybe that's best for now, Sophie."

Sophie gave a small, sad smile and left the house, casting one last glance back at Wanda and the others.

Yelena, who had been standing near the doorway, suddenly moved with surprising speed. She tackled Wanda to the ground, pinning her down. "Wanda, stop whatever you're doing, I thought you cared about her"

Kate Bishop rushed over, helping Yelena restrain Wanda. "Why are you doing this??"

Wanda struggled weakly against them, her eyes filled with confusion and fear. "I don't know! I don't know what's happening!"

Doctor Strange, who had been watching the scene unfold, suddenly collapsed, his body hitting the floor with a heavy thud.

Aurora, having returned from her walk, saw the chaos and rushed back inside. "What's happening?"

"Stephen just passed out!" Kate shouted, trying to keep her grip on Wanda.

Aurora felt a rush of panic shoving Yelena and Kate away from Wanda. " What the hell are you doing????" Wanda stood up holding her hands.

As they moved to help Doctor Strange, Aurora's mind raced. Natasha's words echoed in her head, and she couldn't shake the feeling that Sophie had left too conveniently. She had to find out the truth, but first, they needed to make sure everyone inside was safe.

Wanda looked up at her, fear and gratitude in her eyes. "I'm with you"

___
Aurora felt torn as she looked at the scene before her. "Yelena, Kate, we need to get Stephen to a safe place," she commanded, her voice steady despite her inner turmoil.

Sophie, having returned quietly after sensing the escalating tension, approached Aurora gently. "Let's take a walk. You need to clear your head and we need to talk."

Aurora hesitated, but then nodded. "Alright, let's go." She turned to Wanda. "Keep an eye on everyone. I'll be back soon."

As Aurora and Sophie walked away from the house, the air grew cooler, and the sounds of the chaos inside faded. They walked in silence for a while, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them.

Sophie finally broke the silence. "Aurora, what did Natasha say when you contact her?"
Aurora sighed. "Something about she's getting closer, it's her...I don't understand But it's Natasha... I can't just ignore her."

"I understand," Sophie said gently. "But remember, sometimes the people we trust can be manipulated without even realizing it." Aurora looked at her for a sec before looking ahead again.
____
Back inside, Yelena, Kate, and Stephen after he woke up, were in a heated argument with Wanda.

"Wanda, you have to stop whatever you're doing!" Yelena yelled, frustration clear in her voice.

Wanda looked desperate, her hands trembling. "I told you, I don't know what's happening! I'm not doing anything I swear"

Kate stepped forward, her expression stern. "Wanda, we want to help you, but we can't if you keep resisting."

Stephen, seeing that words weren't enough, raised his hands, conjuring a spell. "Wanda, I'm sorry, but we need to contain you"

With a flick of his fingers, a magical aura surrounded Wanda. She tried to fight it, but the magic was too strong- because she stopped using her magic like she used to- Slowly, she slumped to the ground, unconscious.

Kate looked at Stephen, worry etched on her face. "What do we do now?"

Stephen looked at her, his face showed determination. "She has to go, for everyone's safety."
_________

After two hours

Aurora and Sophie returned to the house, their walk having given Aurora some clarity. They found the others gathered around the kitchen table.
"What happened? Where's Wanda?" Aurora asked, her voice filled with concern.

"We had an argument and she just left" Yelena explained. "She seemed out of control."

Aurora took immediately her phone out of her pocket calling Wanda, but no answer.
" Let her take her time" Strange said putting Aurora's phone down. Aurora nodded sitting beside them.

Meanwhile, Wanda is briefly detained and fitted with a collar that flashes red, designed to inhibit her powers. Stephen used it on her to restrain her and prevent her from using her formidable abilities effectively.