Displaced

chapter fourteen

It had been a week since the mind link exercise and things had been different around the mountain, less tense. Everyone seemed to be in better moods, with minimal to no suspicions present.

But nobody was in a better mood than Wanda.

She was practically vibrating with excitement, knowing in just a few short days she would be seeing her brother. The team, of course, had no idea why she was so happy, they just assumed it was because the distrust was mostly washed away.

They were all gathered in the lounge, watching some made for TV movie when the zeta tubes announced the arrival of Batman and Black Canary. They all reluctantly got up, making their way to the mission room. Batman greeted them with a grunt and Black Canary smiled at them.

"What's up?" Wally asked, eyeing the duo as they pulled up a map on the holographic computer. "Why are we looking at Santa Prisca?"

Batman narrowed his eyes at the speedster, letting him know silently to stop talking. When he did, Batman cleared his throat and began the briefing. "We have gathered intel that the Light are going to have a meeting here in three days time. Every member of the Light will be there, and so will all of you." Wanda felt her blood run cold and she struggled to keep a neutral expression.

If the team showed up with her, especially Jason and Zatanna, Pietro was as good as dead and the team will definitely find out about her betrayal. Wanda couldn't allow that, but how was she going to stop them from coming without drawing suspicion?

"The meeting will be at midnight, you are to arrive on the island by no later than eleven thirty, scope the island out and find the meeting point. I want you to observe, do not engage. Understand?" The team chorused a unanimous agreement, Batman nodding his head. "Good, we will leave you to prepare."

As the two Justice Leaguers left the team dissolved into mindless chatter. Wanda was frozen in her spot, staring at the place the holographic map had been. Zatanna noticed this and slipped her hand into Wanda's, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, it'll be okay. You don't have to face them alone, we will be right by your side."

Wanda smiled at her, squeezing her hand back. "I know that, thank you." But you will not be going with me.

"Yeah, we are going to kick your abusers asses!" Jason pitched in. "Hypothetically, of course, seeing as we are to just observe."

Wanda snorted. "Thanks, Jason. Now, if you will all excuse me, I need to be alone right now."

"Are you s-"

"Yes, I must mentally and emotionally prepare myself to face them again. Don't worry, everything is going to be okay."

The team watched her walk off towards her room, all of them exchanging looks. "Poor Wanda, this must be eating her up inside."

Artemis snorted. "You think? I mean, she has to face those that kidnapped and tormented her for years, who are potentially still holding her brother hostage, and who separated them in the first place."

"Maybe I should-"

"No, Z, you heard her. She needs some alone time. We need to respect that." Dick sighed. "Besides, we should get some training in while we have time."

Down the hall in her room, Wanda was sitting cross legged on her bed taking deep breaths. She reached out through her connection with Pietro, trying to find him like she had done so many times before. She searched and searched, coming up empty handed.

Wanda felt white hot panic surge through her. Every time she had reached through before, she had been able to find her brother. Why was this time different?

Psimon.

Wanda narrowed her eyes at the thought of asking Psimon for help in finding her brother, her skin crawling.

Never mind, I can reach him later.

Wanda huffed, rolling onto her back and pulling the covers up around her, deciding the best thing to do in this situation was to sleep until she physically could not anymore.

Three days later...

"You ready to kick some Light butt?" Wanda groaned, rolling over and pulling her covers tighter around her when Artemis' voice broke through her sleep.

She felt the blankets being ripped off her and she whined. "Art, let me sleep!"

"No can do, kiddo. We have a mission to leave for in five hours. How can you sleep so long?" Artemis yelped, dodging the bolt of energy sent her way. She chuckled, ducking out of the room before peaking her head back in. "Up and at them, sleeping beauty. M'gann is making late lunch for you."

Wanda slammed the door with her telekinesis, sitting up with a grunt. She glared at the wall, nerves building up inside her. Could she really do what she has to in order to see Pietro?

Of course I can! All I have to do is sneak past the team and get to the meeting spot where Psimon said a helicopter would pick me up.

Wanda sighed, standing up and walking over to her closet, getting dressed in an all scarlet outfit. She smiled at the memory of the other girls on the team taking her shopping so she wouldn't have to keep borrowing their clothes.

The smile quickly faded when she was reminded of her job, replacing the happy expression with a frown.

She made her way to the door, taking one last look around the room they were generous enough to give to her. Wanda viciously wiped the tears from her eyes, turning around and slamming the door for a second time. She made her way to the kitchen, noticing the tense atmosphere right away.

Wanda slid onto a stool next to Zatanna, giving her what would most likely be her last peck on the cheek. The magician smiled warmly at her, squeezing her hand. "Hey, remember, everything will work out exactly as it should."

Wanda nodded, wincing when she felt a pang in her head.

It was time.

Wanda thanked M'gann for cooking her a lunch but politely declined, excusing herself once more. The team exchanged a look as they watched Wanda head towards the mission room, tailing after her.

Wanda stopped at the zeta tubes when she sensed she wasn't alone, turning around to find the team watching her. She gulped. "I...I cannot allow myself to drag you into my battles. Please, stay here."

"Wanda, it is our battle too. And we want to help you. So come on over to the bioship and-" Wanda cut Zatanna's approach off with a psionic force field she produced between her and the team. Zatanna looked hurt. "Wanda-"

Wanda shut her eyes tight, clenching her fists by her side. "Please, forgive me." When she opened her eyes they were tinted scarlet. She waved her hand at the team, psychically knocking them unconscious.

But in messing with M'gann's mind so hastily, she unwittingly undid the mind wipe, unlocking a certain memory she had hoped to keep buried forever.

Satisfied that they could not follow her, Wanda stepped into the zeta tube and went to her destination, an alleyway in Happy Harbor. She sprung herself up onto the roof, noticing the waiting helicopter right away. She slid in, shutting the door as they took off towards the island.

Wanda shook her head, a small smile creeping its way onto her face as she reminded herself who was going to be there.

Pietro.

Ish hits the fan next chapter, can't wait!! 😈