The Neighbor

Chapter 62

The applause roars through the hall, the sound reverberating off the walls. You stand at the center of the stage, your heart swelling with pride and relief. You exchange a quick, loving glance with Wanda her green eyes sparkling with affection and something deeper, something stronger.

But then you feel it a sudden shift in the atmosphere, a chilling change that prickles your skin and sends a cold shiver down your spine. Your gaze drifts toward the back of the lecture hall, where the shadows seem to stretch and darken unnaturally. At first, it's subtle, a trick of the light, perhaps. But then...a figure begins to emerge.

Tall. Familiar. Dreadfully familiar.

Vision.

Your heart lurches in your chest, the world narrowing to that one haunting figure standing silently in the shadows. The once familiar android, his yellow cape billowing slightly in a breeze that doesn't exist, steps forward. His synthetic skin is paler than before, an eerie glow flickering in his eyes...eyes that are only cold, calculated menace.

Before you can process the sight of him, a red light catches your attention. Your breath hitches, fear gripping your chest.

"No," you whisper, your voice barely audible over the applause. Then louder, with every fiber of your being screaming: "Get down!"

The room erupts into chaos. In an instant, Vision raises his arm, and from his palm, a deadly beam of red energy shoots toward the stage. The crowd scatters, chairs screeching against the floor as panic spreads through the room.

Wanda reacts first. In the blink of an eye, her hands shoot up, crackling with red chaos magic. A shimmering, ruby colored force field materializes around the audience, her power surging with protective intent. The energy blast slams against the shield, sending a ripple through it, but the barrier holds firm, protecting the terrified onlookers behind her.

"Stay down!" Wanda shouts to the crowd, her voice sharp with authority, her eyes never leaving Vision.

From the corner of the room, another force joins hers. Agatha, her flowing robes billowing as she moves, extends her hands toward the shield, her fingers glowing with violet energy. The two women's magic intertwines, strengthening the barrier as more blasts erupt from Vision's hand. Agatha's face is set in determination, her voice calm and steady as she chants a spell under her breath, fortifying the magical defenses.

"I'm here, Maximoff," Agatha says, her eyes flicking briefly to Wanda.

Wanda's heart races, her mind spinning between Vision— cold, hostile being before her now. But she can't dwell on that. Not now. Not with you so close to danger.

"Wanda!" Your voice pierces through the chaos, filled with urgency.

She whirls around, eyes wide, searching for you amid the flurry of movement. The crowd has mostly ducked behind the seats, but you're still near the front, caught in the open. Her heart pounds with panic, her protective instincts flaring.

You don't have time to react before Vision aims again....this time, his target is clear.

You.

"No!" Wanda screams, her hand flicking forward just in time. Another crimson shield springs up in front of you, absorbing the impact of Vision's blast. The force of it sends you stumbling back, but Wanda's magic holds firm. She wants to races toward you, desperation tightening her chest.

The auditorium shakes as a low, rumbling sound fills the air. The walls vibrate, and from the ceiling vents, dozens no, hundreds of small drones pour in, their metallic bodies gleaming under the harsh lights.

Vision's army.

The drones drop into formation, their eyes glowing red as they scan the room. Each one is equipped with advanced weaponry, their systems whirring to life with an ominous hum. The avengers in the audience leap into action as more and more of the machines flood the space.