This chapter and the next occurs concurrently with the last part of the previous chapter, before the heroes of Universe-838 grouped together at the Baxter Building.

New Asgard

The air was thick with tension, the silence in the room was deafening. Every eye was fixed on Doctor Strange, Wanda, Clea, and Magneto who stood before them. Strange struggled to explain the incursion, but the weight of guilt and remorse hung heavy in the air. He revealed that Wanda, corrupted by the darkhold at the time, was responsible for triggering the incursion, and the earthquake that had rocked the world was only the beginning.

Wong's logical mind knew that Wanda did not mean any of it, but he found it difficult to forgive her. Monica Rambeau felt both pity and anger towards Wanda, remembering how she had stood up for her during the Westview incident. The heroes were sympathetic, but their disappointment and anger towards Wanda were palpable.

As they processed the news, they remained unaware that Wanda was the very being they were after.

Monica (Photon): So you're saying... Wanda decided to read some evil book which made her go on a killing spree on another universe... Which inadvertantly triggered the incursion?

Doctor Strange: Yes, she wanted to go to a universe where her children were still alive.

Wanda lowered her head, looking down and she snuffles with tears dripping on the floor.

Wanda: I... I'm sorry... I'm...

Monica sighed and closed her eyes after hearing the reason why Wanda did it. She understood her pain. Daredevil could sense her sadness and guilt with his heightened senses, it nearly overwhelmed him.

Daredevil: I believe her. Look I don't know her but I can sense the goodness, inside of her, along with a strange chronic sadness.

Hawkeye: Wanda, you couldn't control your actions. I know what that feels like, trust me.

Hawkeye was referring to the time when he was being controlled by Loki's scepter. He glances at Loki. Sylvie turns her head to look at Loki as well.

Loki: Oh yeaaahh I totally forgot... sssorry about that... I guess...

White Wolf (Bucky): Don't even get me started on how I was being brainwashed by Nazi's and became their most ruthless assassin.

Suddenly another giant earthquake struck the globe. This time it was a bit longer than the previous one, it lasted for 30 seconds. More buildings were damaged and more people were severely injured, not just around the world, but two entire universes. This time there were even a few deaths.

Magneto: It's getting worse... It's only a matter of time now before the universes collide. That's when the real catastrophe happens.

Spider-Man: There has to be something we can do! We need to go out there and take people to shelter and protect them from another wave!

Shang-Chi: I agree. We can't just be sitting ducks.

Doctor Strange: We can't possibly be in a trillion places at once. This is not only happening here... It's happening everywhere... on every planet... on both universes.

Everyone glared at Wanda again, knowing that she was the one responsible for all of this. They saw the sorry in her face, the utter despair and guilt in her tearful eyes. She was overwhelmed by the thought of being the one responsible for the deaths of trillions of people across two entire universes. For the death of everyone who died already in the earthquake.

Valkyrie: I'll go check on the asgardians outside to see if anyone needs medical attention.

Valkyrie ran out of the town hall and went to the people's aid.

Captain America (Sam): But what about Kang? He's still coming here right?

Loki: Yes, and we still need to find the being he is after and kill her before he can get to her. Which seems like an impossible task by this point considering everything that's going on and we have no idea where she is.

Doctor Strange: Wait, Sam, did you just say Kang?

Mr. Fantastic: Kang is the reason we're all here. We fought him in the quantum realm. He is on his way here to find a being that lives on this universe.

Clea: What being?

Shang-Chi: A being that changed our entire reality and destroyed the original multiverse... Apparently.

Strange knew that they had to be referring to Wanda since it correlated with the dream and with the prophecy. By their behavior around Wanda, Strange concluded that they didn't know that it was actually her they were looking for this whole time. Magneto and Clea knew it too. Magneto looked at Doctor Strange and gave him a look, shaking his head ever so slightly in order to tell him not to say anything.

Wanda also connected the dots. Her adrenaline spiked with the realization that they actually wanted to kill her. The only reason they are not hostile toward her is because they don't know that she is the being they are looking for.

Doctor Strange: Is there any actual reason why you all decided to kill this being if you find her before Kang does?

Spider-Man: I didn't agree to that... Just... Putting it out there.

Loki: We believe Kang might have plans for this being, he's been searching for her for years. We can't take any chances...

Mr Fantastic: To add to that, she possesses way too much power for any human mind to comprehend or control. Imagine the delicate mindset of a woman who has control over reality... It means reality controls her. Imagination is the limit. Imagination therefore becomes the enemy. Structure disappears. Her reality, as she knows it, begins to slip away. The difference between what's real and what's not becomes a blur. Anything she imagines can be changed out of thin air, even without her noticing. People, places, things. Everything is hers to change.

Thor: A being of such power cannot be allowed to exist. Especially if a power hungry tyrant from the future has plans for her. Probably taking her power for himself.

Clea: Look, we can't stand around here talking nonsense, we should be preparing for a war against both Kang and the heroes of universe-838.

Black Panther (Shuri): I think I just got a genius idea! Scott, where's your quantum machine?

Ant-Man: It's in the lab. Why?

Black Panther (Shuri): Bring it to Wakanda. I think I can find a way to manipulate the quantum realm's navigation to trap Kang whenever he steps his foot out of the quantum realm.

The Wasp: How would you do that?

Loki: That is exactly what I was gonna ask.

Black Panther (Shuri): Do you guys trust me?

Bruce Banner: I trust you.

Black Panther (Shuri): Strange, take us to my lab in Wakanda. Wong, take Scott (Ant-Man) to Hank Pym's lab. Scott, once you get there, shrink the machine down and bring it to my lab in Wakanda.

Wong: Are you sure you know what you're doing?

Black Panther (Shuri): I never doubt myself. I'm probably smarter than anyone in this room.

Mr. Fantastic and Rocket Raccoon: You wanna find out?

Loki: We should come with you. Sylvie and I. Just in case Kang manages to escape once we catch him.

Okoye: I'll go as well.

The Wasp: As will I. We can't risk letting Kang free if we manage to trap him.

Wong: Well okay then.

Doctor Strange: Wait, guys, we kinda need all hands on deck here... The reason we are here is because we need your help to protect Wanda.

Wong: From what?

Doctor Strange: It's complicated.

Loki: Look, wizard, if Kang is not stopped it doesn't matter. Everything burns.

Ant-Man: He's right. None of you saw what Kang can do. We saw it first hand. He is terrifying. We need to stop him at all costs.

Strange sighed and finally agreed to let them do their thing.

Doctor Strange: Fine.

Doctor Strange then opened a portal to Wakanda. Shuri, Loki, Sylvie, Okoye and the Wasp walked through it while Wong took Ant-Man to Hank's lab. He shrunk down the machine and went to Wakanda through the open portal.

Doctor Strange: Okay now that that is taken care of... The reason we need your help is because the heroes of the other universe is set on killing Wanda and they will not stop until she is dead. They believe that killing the one responsible for the incursion will revert our universes back to their original state, but it only ever happened once in history. No other incursion was ever stopped through that means or any other means except that one time.

Captain America (Sam): How will we stop the incursion then?

Doctor Strange: We can't. But Wanda can. She is a nexus being, they have the ability to affect probability. That's why it's important to protect her.

He looked at Wanda, still keeping her head down with tears dripping on the floor. Magneto's hand was on her shoulder.

Doctor Strange: Wanda, you only have to believe that you can stop the incursion and it will happen. It's how nexus beings work. There is no other way.

Rocket: I'm sorry but why are we acting like everything is fine!? (He looks at Wanda) You know what you did. The things you did are enough to put you behind bars for multiple lifetimes. Now you're responsible for the possible destruction of two freakin universes! Why don't you turn yourself in if you feel so sorry for your actions!?

Wanda didn't want to hear this because deep down she believed he was telling the truth. She believes she deserves punishment, she still had this lie implanted in her head that she is a bad person. Even after Strange tried to convince her otherwise. Rocket's words made her remorse even worse.

Wanda: Please stop... I can't... I can't Take this anymore.

Groot: I am Groot.

Rocket: What do you mean I should also turn myself in?

Groot: I am Groot?

Rocket: what? I never steal anything! What are you talking about? It's not even the same thing!

Nebula: What about that time you stole those harbulary batteries.

Starlord: They are called anulax batteries!

The Thing looked at Johnny (Human Torch) and whispers in his ear.

The Thing: Hey Johnny, I think I found the perfect crowd for you.

Wong: If we protect her and she somehow manages to save our worlds through probability manipulation, she has to atone for her sins afterwards. She can't just keep getting away with everything.

Doctor Strange became annoyed at them and lashed out once again as a result of Wanda's personality being present within his own.

Doctor Strange: Wanda's been through a lot! None of you... Can understand just how much pain and trauma She's been through. How much she's lost in her life over and over again! The worst part is none of you ever bat an eye! She was drowning in sorrow and no one checked up on her since her brother's death. If anything, it's our fault that it came to this. Vision was the only one who saw what none of us saw. He held her head above water and became everything to her, in the most literal sense possible. Then she had to kill him herself to save the universe which I think, frankly, is one of the most selfless acts I've ever witnessed in my life by the way... To top it all off, she had to helplessly sit and watch Thanos rewind time and rip the stone out of Vision's head with his bare fingers! Where were all of you after his death in a pivotal time when she needed someone the most!? Putting her behind bars would make things even worse. She needs to heal, she needs us. We are the only sense of family she has left.

Thor: You speak of loss? Do you have any idea how much I've lost in the last couple of years?

Doctor Strange: Tell me, Odinson, how old are you?

Wanda: (She snuffles again) Stephen, It's okay... Just leave it.

Thor: Just over 1500 years, why?

Doctor Strange: So you lived a perfect life for 1500 years, you lived the life of a prince in a castle... You always had people. You had friends, loving parents, you ate and drank like kings every night... Not to mention you are a warrior, you are head strong... She is a fragile soul with a heart of gold and that heart kept being beaten, broken and ripped apart until there was nothing left.

Wanda: Stephen stop.

Spider-Man also went through hell and back over the course of his life. But what made him different was the fact that he constantly had support and guidance. He always had someone who was there in times where he desperately needed someone. Peter stayed quiet because he didn't want to get involved in this conflict and he felt that talking about his personal life is not something he should be doing as Spider-Man.

Doctor Strange: We are formed through life experiences, Thor. You only recently lost it all within a blink of an eye. Wanda suffered her entire life. It's not the same thing. You can't possibly compare two different life experiences.

Wong: She's still responsible for the possible death of trillions!

Those words was enough to make Wanda feel a sudden incomprehensible emotion as her heart nearly crumbled on the inside. Strange saw her reaction to Wong's words and was disappointed by him.

Doctor Strange: Come on Wong... (He looks at Wanda for a while) Hasn't she been through enough?

Daredevil: Wanda, I'm an attorney and I have to admit, if you were my client I would not know how to win this case if we were in court right now.

She-Hulk: And I'm an attorney who deals specifically with enhanced individuals. The superhuman law division is still adjusting to this new world full of magic and things along those lines. I would say your corruption could fall under the mind control category but then there's the argument that you chose to to read the book.

Monica (Photon): Why did you read the darkhold in the first place!? Haven't you learned anything after Westview?

Wanda's lips were shaking. For a moment her mind was elsewhere again, after Strange reminded her of her past, her grief and despair came back to her. She just stood there, pale as a ghost with her hands still shaking and her entire face completely wet from tears.

Wanda: I...

Doctor Strange: She didn't know what it would do to her. She read it because she wanted to learn about herself and her power in order to understand it...
So that no one could ever get hurt by her again. Instead, the entire opposite happened.

Wanda still had her head down while she slowly exhaled.

Wanda: I was...

She looked up at all the eyes staring at her and snuffled again.

Wanda: I couldn't stop myself... I'm sorry... I'm... so... sorry.

Her remorse and guilt could be heard in her voice as she tried not to cry. She then turned to America Chavez and gazed into her fearful eyes.

Wanda: (In a sad whispering tone) I'm sorry... I'm really sorry. For what I did to you, for everything. (She snuffles again)

Wong: You didn't think for one second what the consequences might be for reading that book!?

America Chavez could see a single tear rolling down her cheek.

Wanda put her hands close to her chest and closes her eyes. She began to cry softly under her breath.

Wanda: I'm Really... Really sorry.

Hawkeye, the selfless hero who had always been there for others, felt a deep sense of regret and guilt for not being there for Wanda when she needed him the most. He always had a soft spot for her, ever since he had helped her become an Avenger and risked everything to break her out of the compound when everyone else saw her as a dangerous weapon, but their paths had diverged since then, and he had lost touch with her.

Little did he know of the torment that plagued her. If he had been aware, he would have given everything to aid her. He wished he could have been present to change her fate.

Wanda was in a dark place, consumed by a pain that he could not even begin to fathom. He wrapped his arms around her, and he felt her body tense up, her arms still wrapped tightly around herself. It was as if she was holding onto a fragile piece of herself that she was afraid to let go of. But then, something shifted. A dam burst inside of her, and she began to cry uncontrollably into his shoulder. Her body wracked with sobs as Hawkeye held her close. It wasn't just her guilt and remorse that she was crying about anymore; it was a flood of emotions that had been bottled up inside her for far too long.

Wanda had witnessed the death of her beloved Vision once again, and it had shattered her. The overwhelming grief and despair were so intense that she could barely comprehend what had happened. It was as if a truck had hit her, and she was struggling to make sense of it all. Every emotion she had ever felt was now coming to the surface, and it was all too much for her to bear. She cried and cried, her tears mixing with her words as she uttered her pain and sorrow to Hawkeye, the only person she could trust with her deepest emotions. It was a jumbled mess, a cacophony of grief, guilt, and regret. She couldn't distinguish one feeling from the other, and all she could do was cling to him as the world spun around her.

Wanda: It was so horrible... I was... so horrible! I couldn't stop it. I didn't mean it! I still see their faces burned into my mind whenever I close my eyes... Every single person I've killed! I didn't mean it! Please forgive me.

Hawkeye: Hey, look at me. Wanda, look at me... You were not in control.

They let go of each other. Wanda gazed into Hawkeye's eyes. She looked utterly destroyed.

Hawkeye: You were not in control.

Wanda snuffled and closed her eyes.

Hawkeye: Hey hey hey, look at me!

He lifted her chin up with his finger.

Hawkeye: You were not in control... You were not... In control.

Wanda: I know but...

Hawkeye: You were not in control, okay?

Wanda: (Sobs) It was still my fault!

In an instant, the atmosphere in the room shifted, and the judgmental eyes that had once scrutinized Wanda softened. It didn't take a genius to see that she was not inherently evil. Some felt a wave of compassion wash over them, and even a few tears were shed. Among them was Peter Parker, also known as Spider-Man, who could relate to Wanda's pain from his own experiences. He knew that her tears were not just for her actions, but for something much deeper: a well of grief and despair that threatened to consume her.

Wanda stood motionless as she felt the weight of their gazes on her. The room was filled with a heavy silence that only deepened the sense of sadness. Without a word, she turned and walked out of the door. Her steps echoed through the hallway as she made her way out of the building, her heart heavy with emotion. She emerged outside, and the cool air hit her face as she sank down onto the steps. There, alone with her thoughts, she curled up into a ball and wept softly.

Her tears were a reflection of the pain she carried inside her, a pain that had been festering for far too long. She was lost and broken, searching for a way to find hope in the midst of despair.

Spider-Man knew that she needed someone to guide her, someone to be a beacon of light in the darkness. He vowed to be that person, to help her find a way out of the abyss that threatened to swallow her whole. It wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to give her the hope she so desperately needed, especially in times like these.

Magneto: I'll go get her.

Spider-Man: I'm coming with you.

Magneto: No. Let me speak to her alone.

Spider-Man: I think I can help...

Magneto: Let... Me... Speak to her... Alone.

Hawkeye: What is she to you exactly?

Erik didn't bother to even mention that he was from the other universe. It didn't matter to him. In his eyes, this Wanda was his daughter and no one in the entire multiverse could convince him otherwise. Right then and there, he adopted her as his own.

Magneto: She's my daughter.

These unexpected words took some by surprise. They looked at him in confusion as he walked out of the room. He opened the front door and saw Wanda sitting in front of the door curled up in a ball on the steps.

Magneto: Daughter...

Wanda: (Snuffles) Go away.

Magneto: Wanda I...

Wanda: (Interrupts) I said go away.

Erik also knew the real reason she broke down moments ago.

Magneto: I'm sorry about what happened with Vision on the Island. About everything that happened in your life. I wish I could've been there for you...

Wanda slowly lifted her head and looked at him. She appreciated what he was trying to do but she didn't want him there right now.

Wanda: Look you're not my real father, okay!? In blood maybe, but my father died. Just like every single person in my life.

Erik understood her lashing out at him, but it didn't mean he wasn't slightly hurt by her words, but he knew she needed space.

Magneto: ...Okay... Take your time... I'll be inside.

Magneto turned around and walked back into the building and entered the room. He was surprised by the sight of everyone standing together as if they were ready for battle. The Avengers, the Guardians and the Fantastic Four along with the rest, stood in front of Magneto with determination. Strange and Clea was also among them. Everyone looked at each other and nodded their heads in agreement.

Captain Marvel: We will stand with you... You have our word... No harm will come to her. Wanda Maximoff will not die today. We will protect her at all costs. Whatever it takes.

Spider-Man: Whatever it takes.

Hawkeye: Whatever it takes.

Groot: We... are... Groot.

Captain America (Sam): Whatever it takes.

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Thanks for reading!

-MarvelDc_EU