Chapter 366: The Other Side

25th April 2015, New York City

(Wanda Maximoff POV)

The reality manipulator wanted to throttle her mother's ex-wife the moment she saw her but contained herself, "You're making me lead?"

Jasmine nodded, "You are my daughter. I have taught you everything I could, it's time for you to grow into your role as my heir."

"And now is the time to do it? With the entire multiverse at risk? And you decide to give me even more responsibility now? I'm supposed to be in the fight with you and you know it. I'm strong enough to do it."

The woman gave her a sad smile and shook her head, "You're the person I trust the most in the world, Wanda. You're literally my last anchor of whatever remains of the person I used to be. Is it wrong that I want you to remain slightly safer? It's why I'm even doing this in the first place."

"Doing what?" Wanda questioned.

She didn't have time to react when Jasmine palmed her chest with a glowing purple gem. The reality manipulator started feeling hotter and hotter like a fire starting from her chest burning herself out. She could barely even think of anything but the pain that surrounded her. But there was something else, something more, outside of the pain.

Pure Power, that is what Wanda realized it was before the world turned black.

Wanda woke up feeling different. There was a fire in her that wasn't there before. There was something that wanted to burn her inside out, something wild, something alien, yet it seemed to combine with her somehow.

What had happened? She remembered the meeting about Thanos' invasion, seeing that bitch Selene one more time, and then her mother putting something purple inside her. The Power Stone, that was it. Who the fuck puts an infinity stone in their daughter's body without even asking. It's not like Wanda was a clueless child.

Sitting up, the reality manipulator realized that she was very sore, and also that she didn't recognize where she was. The room she found herself in was serene, bathed in soft golden sunlight that streamed through sheer curtains. As her gaze adjusted, the intricate details of her surroundings gradually came into focus.

The walls were adorned with vibrant tapestries depicting some kind of ancient African legends, their colours alive with the tales they told. Each thread is intricately woven, showcasing the craftsmanship and pride of a people deeply connected to their history. Wanda immediately realized where she was. This combination of tradition and advanced technology could only be in one place. Wakanda.

The Scarlet Witch didn't always see eye to eye with her adoptive mother, but she could understand her distaste for this nation. Their entire culture was based on a sense of patriotism and isolation. They felt that they were superior to outsiders, and yet did nothing to rectify that. This nation could have been the centre of the world, and yet their lack of ambition diminished humanity's advancements as a whole. If they had shared their technologies and advancements, Earth would have been a planet advanced enough to make its mark in the galaxy. It wouldn't be considered to be a primitive rock in the middle of nowhere that anyone could invade. Humanity would have been prepared for Thanos' invasion. They could have met his fleet with one of their own instead of letting them have the high ground and lock themselves in a single city.

However, it was this sense of patriotism and isolation that made this country stagnate while the rest of the world caught up. You could see it in the decorations in the way their history was portrayed proudly everywhere.

Wanda stood up and took a closer look at the room. A bed draped in luxurious fabrics dominated the centre of the room. The canopy above it, supported by elegantly carved pillars, billowed gently, reminiscent of the African savanna breeze. The bedding, a symphony of warm earth tones, radiated comfort and tranquillity. The pillows were adorned with embroidered symbols and patterns, a testament to Wakanda's cultural heritage and attention to detail.

The furniture in the room exhibited a seamless blend of tradition and modernity. A solid wooden desk stood against one wall, featuring a sleek design and smooth lines that harmonized with the room's aesthetic. A collection of delicately handcrafted artefacts sat atop it, reminiscent of Wakanda's rich cultural tapestry.

Wanda had to admit, for all her misgivings, Wakandan had good taste in decorating. But now wasn't the time to admire this. Thanos was coming and Jasmine had left her in charge. Even if she had probably left with Jean without saying a word.

To be honest, the Scarlet Witch was lost. She didn't know where to begin. She wasn't Jasmine. She wasn't someone capable of making the decisions her mother made. She was now responsible for an entire species and that was terrifying.

Just as she started to hyperventilate, a projection appeared in front of her, "Hello Wanda."

The witch simply stared at the illusion of her mother, "Mom?"

"I'm sorry, little one, but this is a recording. I know that we haven't been as close as we used to be. It has probably something to do with the time I was away, or how different I became after Selene… Well, after the thing with Selene and Rose. I know I'm different. I know I'm so inhuman. I could see the discomfort whenever you looked at me afterwards. I haven't been much of a mother to you, have I? I am sorry for that. I should have gone out of my funk. I should have taken care of you more, but you've grown up into such a beautiful and amazing young woman and I couldn't be prouder of you. I wish we could have had more time together before this, but we can't go back in time, can we? Well, I did go back in time. It's a bit complicated, but that's not important. For all my failures, and I have had many over thousands of years, the way I have failed you as a mother is one of my biggest regrets."

The projection looked down, with a sad look on her face and Wanda's eyes started to tear up. It was true, Jasmine hadn't been much of a mother recently. After the thing with Selene, the woman was pretty much catatonic. She just had this laser focus on Entropy and just forgot about Wanda. She trained with her students, but it was impersonal. She made plans, but it was so calculating, so useless. It was like she removed emotions and relationships from her equation entirely, and Wanda wasn't spared.

It was depressing but it wasn't her fault. Jasmine was made into this, and it was hard to compare this cold calculating person to the woman who had rescued her from her asylum and raised her when she was a teenager filled with nothing more than angst and rage.

It broke her heart, but this message was so unlike her, so unlike her new personality if it could be called that in the first place.

Wanda sniffed and the projection continued, "I know you're scared. I sent you this message because I know you and I didn't like the way I left things. First of all, you must be wondering why I even put the power stone in your body. Something I never really mentioned is the fact that as I trained you, I had to alter your body somewhat. It was mainly to help you control your power and make sure that you wouldn't hurt yourself. There is a reason why your body is faster, stronger, and just plain better than any normal human. The energy you keep leaking around is being absorbed back into your cells, strengthening you, and giving you a shard of physical magic. However, in doing so, I also made you into a human being able to contain the power of an infinity stone, if only minutely. You don't need an artifact to channel it and the power stone is the perfect stone to enhance your already impressive powerset for what is coming. I have also put the space stone in a locket around your neck. What you do with it is your choice, but I would recommend using it as well. Sure, that would make you a target, but Thanos will be wielding at least two stones with his gauntlet, and possibly even a third one. Entropy wouldn't have started this fight if he hadn't already found the soul stone. And I want to give you every possible advantage."

Wanda looked down and saw the glowing locket that held the infinity stone. What the hell was Jasmine thinking, giving her that?

"Now, outside the firepower, outside of the stones, I know that you're terrified. So many people are relying on you and your decisions could save the universe or even doom it. But I haven't declared you as my successor, as my heir, for no reason. I trust you and believe in you. Even if you couldn't see it, I have trained you for decades for this position and you have always surpassed my expectations. I am confident that you will do the same now. Since you're passed out, I gave Alfred authority to speak in your name until you wake up. As for me and Jean, we're setting up our own plans. I regret that we didn't get to say goodbye in person, but we don't have that much time. Don't worry, I will personally make sure that your little girlfriend comes back to you safely. As for me, I don't know what's going to happen, but I have a feeling that it'll be big. All my life, I was pushed for this exact moment, and I have no idea how it's going to end. For the first time in my life, I am uncertain about what's coming next, with what happens after Entropy, after Thanos. I don't know if I'm going to live or die. There's a certain beauty to not knowing, isn't there? But no matter what happens, I want you to know that I will always love you and I will always believe in you. Always. This is me officially passing you the torch. Humanity is in your hand, Wanda Maximoff, and I wouldn't have trusted it in anyone else's. I also gave you a little gift. You'll see it when you need it. Goodbye, my daughter and I wish you good luck in the wars to come."

The projection winked out of existence and Wanda just stood there, frozen. It was a lot to process but her thoughts were interrupted by the doors opening, revealing a bald woman holding a golden vibranium spear. She was a Dora Milaje, one of the elite warriors of Wakanda and protectors of its king, "General Maximoff, you're awake. Just in time. The council is ready for you. We followed your instructions. The deadline is almost up but we have a few concerns."

"Brief me as quickly as you can," Wanda responded automatically.

"Emma Frost is concerned about the fact that we're putting mutants on the frontlines. She doesn't want to risk her people," the Dora Milaje answered.

Wanda nodded, "tell her that only the Brutes and physically resilient mutants are in the front line. Have Clairvoyant and Doormaker coordinate with an appropriate mutant with a Thinker to blast their way through portals. If it's too much, coordinate with the Sorcerer Supreme to assign noncombatant sorcerers to make portals for them too. Also tell them to have a medical bay ready with healers, and portals, to avoid as many causalities as possible."

The Wakandan warrior nodded, "Very well, General."

It continued like this all morning, with requests being made through Alfred to process and given to her by the Dora Milaje assigned to Wanda. She was so busy that she didn't even have time to be nervous anymore. Things continued like this, until finally, she got a message from Tony Stark, "We have a huge fleet of ships appearing right on top of the planet. One of the battleships is coming this way."

Wanda nodded and addressed the entire council at once, "It's time. Thanos is here. We are the defendants of humanity. It's time for us to Assemble."