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Wanda was finally, finally, crossing the multiverse. It might’ve taken manipulating and knocking out Strange plus that young girl, America, to do so, but she did it. Wanda was going to see her babies again. She would finally bring them home and get another piece of her family back. She hasn’t figured out how to bring back Vision yet, but the boys needed her first. They screamed at her, begged her to get them back to her. Wanda knew she would.
All Wanda could see was red as she shifted between realities. She took a deep breath and focused all her energy on the last time she heard her babies’ voice calling her name. Wanda felt herself be dragged to the voices as they gradually grew louder and louder, bringing her to her little ones. She tried to crush down the hope she felt rising in her chest. She couldn’t get too excited before she knew if this worked or not.
Suddenly Wanda felt herself land on the ground, all the red slowly disappeared from around her, and she was left sitting on her knees, slightly out of breath from the travel. Wanda slowly pulled herself off the ground, not wanting to hurt herself or cause anything that would somehow snap her back to her reality.
As she looked around Wanda, felt all the air in her lungs get sucked right out of her. Tears filled her eyes rapidly. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Everything was the same to the street signs, the houses, and the smell even. She was finally home. She was in Westview once more. But it was her Westview, all her changes were still there. The town wasn’t converted back to what it looked like before Wanda came and took over. The only difference was that it was late fall, the trees were losing their leaves, and the air had a chill.
“Just like the Halloween special.” Wanda thought to herself, taking a moment to make sure this was her home and take in the feeling of being home. But she couldn’t stand there long. Her boys were waiting for her.
Looking around to see what street she was on and how far she was from home, Wanda took off, flying as fast as she could down the all too familiar streets of her town, closer and closer to her home once more.
Finally, after what felt like hours, but it was only a matter of a few minutes, Wanda was in her driveway again, looking at her house. It looks exactly the same as it did that final day she spent here with her family. Just as she was about to take a step forward, she paused and took in the house once more but much slower this time around.
Wanda could see some toys scattered in the front yard, which weren’t there when she lived here with her boys. She didn’t even recognize the toys. There was some outdoor furniture on the porch that Wanda definitely didn’t put there.
Suddenly Wanda was filled with overwhelming fear. “ What if this wasn’t her house? What if some random family lived there and not her babies” Wanda’s heart raced as she tried to swallow her fears. She didn’t realize she was moving until she reached the bay window that looked into the living room. Wanda took a deep breath before looking in.
The living room mainly looked the same from when she lasted saw it that night with Vision. There were some decorations she didn’t fully recognize. Some toys were scattered through the room. The T.V was tuned into a kids’ channel, playing some shows with a blue and orange dog. The couch had a pillow and ruffled blankets on it like someone was lying there.
Then Wanda saw him. All the fear and worry left her body. The tears finally escaped her eyes and sent her into silent sobs. Sitting on the ground in front of the coffee table was Billy. One of her babies. He was wearing some pajamas with tiny Captain America shields all over them. He was writing on some paper, clearly very focused.
Was it possible he looked smaller than Wanda remembered? Maybe the twins made themselves a little bit taller for the final fight. Wanda stared at her son. Besides the size, he looked the same almost. His hair was cut a little shorter. But she knew that face anywhere, that was her son.
Scanning the room again, Wanda noticed Tommy wasn’t in the room with Billy. Fear filled her whole being again. What if Tommy wasn’t in this reality? What if she could only save one of her children? She didn’t want to imagine that, to imagine the pain if she was too late, the pain Billy would feel, that Wanda knew too well, of losing his twin?
Before Wanda could panic herself more, Tommy walked into the living room holding some stuffed animal to his chest, also in his pajamas, his having small blue lighting bolts all over them. Unlike Billy, Tommy looked vastly different than she remembered. However, she could still tell that he was also her baby. He was smaller too, just like Billy was. Tommy’s hair was white with hints of grey, almost like his Halloween costume but undeniably just like Pietro’s. The comparison made Wanda cry slightly harder than she already was. His hair was also cut shorter, instead of being down to his chin, it was cut to just below his ears. Tommy made his way over to the couch and laid down where the blanket and pillow were, curling up with the stuffed animal he held.
Worried filled Wanda right back up once she took in both of her babies’ faces closer, both had slightly red noises, their eyes were red as well, and both looked a little pale. Someone hurt her babies. She felt guilt settle into her chest next to the worry, she wasn’t here to protect them.
Just as Wanda was about to head to the door and go inside to save her boys and bring them home with her, a third person walked into the room. Disbelief shook Wanda to her core. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. This had to be a cruel prank. What was this?
Wanda watched as someone who looked identical to herself went over to her boys. This other Wanda looked just like her, the only noticeable difference being that this fake Wanda had brown hair, not red. The faker looked at her boys with a soft smile, a loving one. Wanda watched as the imposter Wanda kissed Billy’s head gently and pushed the hair out of his face. Watching as Billy leaned into the kiss and smiled softly before going back to his paper. Then seeing as Tommy, from the couch, reached his arms to the fake Wanda, making grabby hands towards her, causing the imposter to seemly laugh soft and sit next to Tommy on the couch. Pulling the small boy into her lap and rocked them, running her fingers through the boy’s hair, trying to tame it.
The real Wanda felt anger burn through her body. Red sparks started to fly from her hands as she watched the scene before her. The fake Wanda looked so happy holding Tommy close and watching Billy draw on his paper . What gave her the right to be so at peace when she STOLE her babies from her? Those were her children, and she was going to get them back.
Taking off towards the door, Wanda used her magic to slam the front door open so hard the door itself cracked from the pressure. Both boys yelped and turned quickly to the door, fear written all over their faces, but Wanda was too angry to see that.
The imposter Wanda quickly stood from the couch, putting Tommy down behind her and pushing Billy behind her. Standing in front of them protectively, the action caused Wanda to let out a cold laugh.
She looked towards them, eyes red with the overflowing anger of her powers, her magic wrapping around her hands for a quick attack if needed. The other Wanda reacted the same but stepped forward, hiding the kids behind her more.
“Who are you? Why are you in my home? Why do you look like..me?” The fake Wanda asked, voice cold as ice, but the worry slipped into her voice as well.
“I should be asking you those questions. I am here for my sons, you bitch. You TOOK them from me. I am here to bring them home. Give me my children back.” Wanda growled out at the faker. Raising her hands, Wanda shot her magic at the imposter, not hearing the sounds of the boys screaming in fear, blinded by her own rage.
The fake Wanda quickly blocks the attack, putting up a shield to protect her and the kids. Anger covered the other Wanda’s face.
“Boys! Go to your room! Now!” The fake Wanda yelled quickly. Her accent was heavy in her voice. The boys took off and ran up the stairs. For a second, a quick thought of how her boys never listened like that. They wanted to help fight. But just as fast as the idea came, Wanda pushed it from her mind, Focusing on the fight in front of her.
“Those are my kids. You stole them. You will pay.” Wanda gathered her magic and fired it towards the other Wanda. The fake Wanda quickly dodged the attack, sending the magic into a side table, causing it to explode and a lamp on it to fly.
“Those are my boys. I don’t know where you came from, but you need to leave my family alone and get out of my town.” Imposter Wanda sent a quick blast at Wanda, which sent her soaring backward into the cracked door, which was now in pieces. Wanda groaned softly and stood back up. The reality jumping weakened her powers some, it seemed. But she wouldn’t let that stop her.
The fake Wanda took some careful steps towards her, hands glowing red, anger clear on her face. Wanda used her magic to pick up the fallen lamp as quietly as possible.
“Why do you want my boys.” The imposter’s voice was steady and calm, but anger was there.
“Because they aren’t yours. Those are my boys.” Quickly Wanda sent the lamp towards the imposter’s head, causing her to scream in pain and fall backward onto the ground.
Taking her chance, Wanda quickly used her magic and wrapped it around the faker so she couldn’t move. Wanda lifted her into the air before she threw her into the wall. Photo frames came crashing down, the sound of shattering glass filled the room, as did the sounds of the fakers’ screams.
“This is what you get for taking my sons. I will end you. You will regret taking my sons for messing with my family and me.” Wanda tightened her magic on the faker’s body, watching as she struggled, trying to escape the hold.
Suddenly something hit her in the back of her knees, making her fall to the ground, allowing the imposter to escape her hold. The imposter sent another blast of magic at Wanda, sending her spiraling into the coffee table.
“Those are my sons. You are the one messing with my family. Who are you?” The imposter stood above Wanda, hands, and eyes red with magic. Wanda glared at the other woman.
“I am Wanda Maximoff. I am the Scarlet Witch.”
Wanda sent her magic forward, wrapping it around the imposter’s neck. Her magic squeezed her neck a bit as she slowly lifted her from the ground, all as Wanda laughed coldly.
“You will pay for hurting my sons, for stealing them away from me. I will make you beg me for forgiveness.”
Wanda lifted the imposter farther and farther up from the ground. Laughing as she gasped for air and kicked her feet to try to free herself. Wanda smirked as she watched the imposter squirm. All the ways of revenger on this woman quickly filled her mind. Her smile grew as she thought of all the possibilities. She opened her mouth to say something but was promptly cut off.
“MAMA!”
Wanda looked over quickly. Both twins were standing on the steps of the stairs; they were holding hands, clinging to each other. Both of their faces were covered in tears and snot as they sobbed. Tommy was hiding a part of his face in Billy’s shoulder. Both boys shook in fear. Wanda’s blood ran cold, and everything came crashing down. She tried to smile at them.
“It’s okay little ones. Mommy is taking care of this. I will bring you home soon-” Wanda tried to make her voice soft and as gently as she could while she was still strangling the faker.
“YOU’RE NOT OUR MAMA! YOU’RE HURTING OUR MAMA! STOP, PLEASE!” Billy screamed at her as he sobbed. His hold on Tommy’s hand tightened, and Tommy reached a hand out to the faker, clearly wanting her.
Wanda felt like the world was swept out from underneath her at Billy’s words. They thought she wasn’t their mom? She was the one who was making the boys cry in fear. She did this to her sons.
Suddenly a sob fell from Wanda’s lips, her magic letting goes of the Faker-Was she even Fake?- As Wanda fell to her knees in the middle of the living room.
The other Wanda stood up shaky, taking deep breaths to try to catch her breath. Quickly, even out of breath, the other Wanda used her magic to bind Wanda’s hands, and she cast some runes causing Wanda to not be able to use her powers. But at this moment, Wanda couldn’t find the energy to care. Her boys were scared of her.
Quickly both young boys ran across the room and into the open arms of the other Wanda. The room was silent other than the noises of a few sniffs and sobs from the boys, trying to calm down now that the other Wanda was okay.
Wanda looked up and watched as the other Wanda cupped both boys’ cheeks and knelt down to their heights. She checked over the boys to make sure they were unharmed, Slowly Tommy reached a handout and put his hand on the other Wanda’s forehead.
“Mama…You’re hurt.” Tommy’s small voice shook with fear and worry. The other Wanda carefully took Tommy’s hand into her own and gently kissed the back of his hand.
“I’m okay sweet boy. It’s all okay, we are all safe. I promised to keep you safe, my babies, and I always will.” The fake Wanda’s voice was gentle and soft. She kissed both boys’ heads before looking towards Wanda.
“I will ask you this one more time. Who are you, and why do you want my boys?”
Wanda shook her head, and another small sob came out. She didn’t miss the terrifying looks the boys gave her. The boys were utterly terrified of her. Her own boys.
“I am Wanda Maximoff. I…I came here looking for my sons. They disappeared. I was led here thinking that those boys are my boys. I am from a different reality.” Wanda’s voice was barely above a whisper. Grief shook her body, she felt like her will to fight and go on was gone.
“So we are variants of each other? Because I am Wanda Maximoff, and these are my sons... I am sorry… These aren’t your missing boys. They must be variants of them too..”
That was the final straw, sobs ripped their way out of Wanda. Loud and painful sounding wails. Her whole body shook with pain and grief. Wanda had thought she finally found her babies only to find out she found another version of herself babies and then completely traumatized them. Wanda bent forward has the weight of her sobs made her unable to keep herself upright.
Suddenly, Wanda felt a hand on her cheek, looking up. The variant Wanda looked at her with pity in her eyes and some tears.
“I am so sorry you lost your boys….” Her voice was soft and shock-filled. Then she took some steps back and pulled her sons into a tight hug, not wanting to ever feel the pain Wanda does.
Moments pass in silence, no one saying a word. Slowly Wanda stopped sobbing and looked at her variant.
“How? How are you so happy? We lost everything. Vision, twice. Our home. How do you have this? My Westview is gone now that I stopped the hex. How do you still have yours? What did Hayward not find you?” Wanda tried to keep the jealousy out of her voice, but it snuck in, causing her variant to look down.
“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about. After Thor killed Thanos when he tried to snap half the universe away, they used the stones to bring Vis back, but human this time. So he was able to live without the mind stone. Vis and I already had bought a house in Westview. So we came here after the battle was done. Two years after we moved in, I got pregnant with the twins. It’s been 8 almost 9 years since that. We haven’t been bothered here till you showed up. Who is Hayward?”
Wanda felt her world spin around her, this variant, this reality, never lost to Thanos. Never lost Vision. No one was snapped away for five years. Actually, lived in Westview and had the twins?
Slowly Wanda explained what had happened in her timeline, with the wars, with the hex and Hayward, with Strange, All of it. Her variant sat in silence as she listened. Holding her babies tighter to her and putting her head against theirs.
A few moments after Wanda explained everything to her, the variant Wanda sent the boys upstairs with a kiss to their heads. Then grabbed some spell books off the shelves and sat in front of Wanda.
“I am going to help you get your sons back. We can do this together.” The variant said softly, and with a wave of her hand, the runes and binding were gone, along with the house being fixed up. She opened a book and began to read. Slowly Wanda followed her lead and started to read.
Hours must’ve passed since they started to read. The sun was setting, and the house was growing dark. The sudden sound of keys jingling and a door unlocking snapped the Wanda’s out of it. Wanda looked up and teared up again.
There stood Vision, in his human look, which Wanda guessed is what he always looked like here. Vision stared at both Wandas, clearly confused, but before he could say anything, the sound of tiny feet running down the stairs filled the room. Then both twins were running at their dad, giving him the biggest bear hug. Vision lifted the boys into his arms.
“Heya, boys! How are you feeling? Still sick with that cold?” Vision asked soft, kissing their head. That explained the red noses and eyes and why they looked so pale. Wanda’s variant quickly crossed the room to give Vision a quick welcome home kiss. Then took Tommy from him and held him close in her arms, smiling softly at he husband.
Wanda watched the happy scene unfold in front of her. She watched as her Varient asked Vision about his workday, as Billy smiled widely at both his parents, listening to them talk. She watched as Tommy curled up in his mother’s arm, a yawn escaping his tiny body and a relaxed smile graced his face.
Wanda knew her time here was up. She couldn’t bear to watch this happy family any longer. She knew she was going home to no one who loved her. Her variant did help her learn some new things about the Multiverse that she will use to find her boys.
As much as seeing this happy family hurt Wanda, it gave her hope that she was allowed to be happy again one day. She just had to fight for it. Wanda took a deep breath as she teleported herself outside the home that she used to call her own.
She took one final look through the window. Billy laughed loud and bright as Vision spun them and tickled his side. Vision laughing just as much.
Tommy’s eyes had shut, clearly tired, but clearly happy as well with a soft smile on his face, as her variant self rocked him gently in her arms. Whispering soft words of love and care to the sleepy boy. Tommy started to chew his sleeve, sleepy, and her Variant self laughed gently and pulled the sleeve out of his mouth.
Wanda watched them, this Billy and Vision reminding her of their day in the part together when Vision chased the babies all around the park. Her variant and this Tommy reminded her of the first time she ever held Tommy when he was born. He had the same sleepy smile as now.
Pulling her cloak over her head, Wanda made her way down the streets of Westview once more. Taking it in for the last time. Before she disappeared into a cloud of red dust, heading back to her reality to face what she’s been trying to avoid.
Being alone.
When Wanda’s Variant held her boys for the rest of the night and blamed it on wanting to comfort her sick babies, No one needed to know.
When Wanda’s variant held the boys a bit tighter that night and for now on. No one needed to know.
When Wanda’s variant broke down that night in Vision’s arms, afraid, she would have to go through what Wanda is going through. No one needed to know.
When Wanda’s variant fell asleep outsides the twin’s door so she could make sure they were okay. No one needed to know.
When Vision comforted his wife, reminding her she wasn’t alone and wouldn’t be. No one needed to know.
When Wanda broke down that night completely alone. No one would care.
When Wanda screamed for her babies to come back to her. No one would care
When Wanda held the only photo, she had of her family left. No one would care.
When Wanda finally passed out of exhaustion from crying that night. No one would care.
She was utterly alone and no one cares.