Today was a normal day for Wanda.
Since she and her brother had been rescued from the Hydra base, they had gradually adapted to a new life. A life that, although different, was starting to feel like their new normal.
They had moved to the United States and now lived with Natasha, the woman who had rescued them. Apparently, Natasha was a spy for some secret organization.
According to what she had told them, that organization was facing serious problems: it was fighting against another equally hidden faction. That was why, in search of help, they had turned to Leonardo… or as he was known online, Laplace.
Leonardo was a kind of superhero: someone who had saved many lives by warning about the future through his paintings.
During these two months living with Natasha, Wanda and Pietro had visited Leonardo several times. Thanks to that, Wanda had gotten to know him better and discovered he was someone she could trust.
Something she would have never believed in the past. But since arriving here, little by little, she had started to open her heart and trust, at least in those who had saved them.
From what she knew, Leonardo had proposed a deal to Natasha: she had to take care of them for six months, and in exchange, he would take down the enemy organization.
And what did taking care of them have to do with defeating that organization? Wanda had an idea.
She had learned that Natasha, despite her strength, underestimated herself. Over the months, they had talked about many things, and Wanda knew Natasha carried a dark past. That she had hurt many people and was now seeking to atone for her sins.
But for Wanda and Pietro, who lived with her day by day, it was clear: Natasha had already changed.
She was a good person. Someone who cared deeply for others, even if she didn't see it herself.
That's why, when Wanda heard the details of the deal with Leonardo, she immediately understood what was going to happen after six months with her:
Love.
Natasha would grow attached to them, protecting them with all her heart.
Leonardo had said Wanda would be useful in the future, so he would probably need her help against the enemy organization. And if Natasha considered them her family, she would never allow anyone to use them.
A simple and clever move, very fitting for both Leonardo and Natasha.
The only reason Natasha hadn't realized it yet was because she still believed she was a bad person.
While thinking about all this, Wanda and Pietro arrived home, returning from school.
When they walked in, they found Natasha sitting on the couch, frowning at her tablet.
"What's wrong?"
they asked simultaneously, worried.
Natasha looked up, saw them arrive, and smiled before replying:
"Welcome home."
Those simple words were enough to warm their hearts.
Something so simple for most people, but extraordinary for them. Since losing their parents, no one had ever welcomed them home like that again.
Even when people had tried to adopt them, many sought to separate them or had bad intentions they could always sense.
Seeing Natasha sincerely smiling, waiting for them, was an invaluable gift.
"What's wrong, Sister Natasha?"
"Yeah, you looked worried."
Natasha shook her head, downplaying it.
"It's nothing serious. It's just a new painting from Laplace."
Upon hearing that, Wanda and Pietro immediately understood the cause of her expression.
Although Leonardo was a good person, most of his paintings usually announced disasters.
Like last time: the whole world was still talking about that painting, and the atmosphere remained heavy with worry.
"Another bad omen?"
Pietro asked, but Natasha shook her head again.
"No, actually, this time it's something good. It seems he finally painted the Avengers."
"The Avengers!?"
they both exclaimed, surprised.
Of course, they knew about the Avengers. Since moving to the United States—and especially thanks to Leonardo—they had heard about them:
A group of superheroes.
And the best part was, if this painting appeared right after the last one, it was very likely that the Avengers would be the ones to intervene in the upcoming alien invasion.
Still, something didn't quite add up.
"Incredible..."
Pietro murmured, moving closer to look at the tablet.
Wanda, still hesitant, was about to ask why Natasha had frowned when seeing it... but Pietro, staring at the image, understood first and showed it to her.
Wanda saw it.
And she understood too.
It was a powerful painting: a group gathered in a circle, fighting off a horde of aliens.
And among them… was her. Natasha.
No words were needed.
Both knew immediately why Natasha seemed uncomfortable looking at the image.
"Natasha,"
Wanda said, approaching her,
"You definitely deserve to be part of the Avengers."
"Yeah,"
Pietro added, smiling,
"You're an incredible person."
Natasha, seeing them so sincere, could only smile and say:
"Alright. Don't worry about it. You just got home; why don't you sit down? I prepared some snacks for you."
At that, both smiled, momentarily forgetting their worries, and began asking for what they wanted to eat.
---
~ Maveth ~
Long, long ago, the Kree experimented on humans, granting some extraordinary abilities.
But for some reason, the Kree abandoned the planet and left.
In their departure, they left behind their most dangerous creation: Hive.
Hive was an Inhuman with the ability to control and parasitize other living beings. By doing so, he absorbed their abilities, their knowledge… and merged them into his hive mind, expanding his consciousness through multiple bodies.
Naturally, his power terrified the ancient humans.
Thus, with the help of other Inhumans, they managed to create a portal and exile him to another world: Maveth.
However, some fragments of Hive—his parasites—remained on Earth.
Still connected to his will, those fragments dedicated their existence to a single goal: bringing him back.
From these beings, an organization was born that would survive through centuries of history:
Hydra.
Throughout generations, Hydra infiltrated governments, companies, armies.
Its lower-ranking members were unaware of the organization's true purpose, while the highest leaders dedicated their lives to opening the portal.
For Hive, that portal was vital.
Maveth was light-years away from Earth, with no other way to return.
Or so he thought.
Today, on that barren, desolate planet where silence reigned, Hive sensed something strange.
Two presences. Two beings breaking the eternal stillness.
One was a man with a human appearance, average height, long black hair, holding a scepter that radiated authority.
He said nothing. He stood silently behind the other being.
The other was an imposing giant: his skin looked like dark, hard, thick stone. Two horns crowned his head. In his hands, he wielded a colossal war hammer.
The colossus advanced and spoke with a deep voice:
"Hive. I am Cull Obsidian of the Black Order.
I am going to take you back to Earth, and in return, you will help me obtain something."
Hive, who had always seen the portal as his only hope, had never imagined something like this.
His monstrous body stirred.
A twisted smile formed on his inhuman face, and with a voice that seemed to resonate from everywhere at once, he replied:
"It's a deal."
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+20 chapters in advance on Patreon.
p-atreon.com/IAMME26
(just delete the hyphen)
80 power stones = 1 extra chapter (cumulative)