HBWnovel Chapter 139: Reconciliation
Chapter 139: Reconciliation
Chapter 139: Reconciliation
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--------------- Updated from
5th June 2006, New York City
(Wanda Maximoff POV)
Pietro looked pensive. Perhaps he was finally starting to think for himself instead of reciting Magneto's words, "Look, maybe you have a point, but that's not important right now. I'm not here to talk about philosophy. Magneto already has a plan, something big, and he wanted you, as his daughter, to be a part of it. Normally, there would be a test or something to prove your worth, but he thinks that as his family, we need to be a part of this. It's either the both of us or neither of us."
Wanda paled; that didn't bode well. Magneto was very ruthless when he thinks he needs to be, so whatever he's planning will probably be very bad for everyone, "What the hell is he planning to do?"
Pietro smirked at her, "The next step in mutant evolution. Magneto found a way to upgrade our powers."
Wanda's instinct was right; if there's something Jasmine taught her, it was that there is no such thing as a power up without a price. If an offer sounded too good to be true, it probably was.
"Pietro, I don't want to break it to you, but nothing in the world comes for free. That's doubly true for powers. There has to be a price somewhere even it is hidden for now."
Pietro waved his hand dismissingly, "You worry too much, Wanda. But this is a real opportunity for us to be a family again. A new era is coming, sis, and with Magneto at our back, we're pretty much guaranteed to win."
Wanda nodded, "Because, to them, he might as well be one. You have to understand that the only reason they haven't been hurt is because the Professor recruited them. He has a dream of a coexistence between humans and mutants. He trusts that humanity will accept mutants if he shows them the mutant's potential for goodness. He's charismatic enough and the dream is idealistic enough that his students assume that if they follow his lead, they'll achieve his dream and get their paradise world. The only problem is, that it's not a matter of good and bad, it's a matter of power. Mutants unbalance the fragile balance of power in the world. And changing the status quo is always met with resistance. People are afraid of a teenager being able to massacre thousands of people before being put down. The power balance has been out of whack and people will do their best to return it. Which means that they'll be focused on the extermination or detainment of all mutants. For now, only the government knows and are trying to suppress the information, because the second the public knows, you'll be dealing with riots, murders and more. This fragile peace, right now, can easily be destroyed by a cocky mutant that's showing off. All it takes is one mistake for everything to go to shit."
Pietro froze at the witch's explanation, finally starting to understand the policies behind anti mutant propaganda, "How the hell do you know all that stuff?"
Wanda shrugged, "Jasmine taught me. She's very knowledgeable about that stuff, even though she doesn't like to involve herself in politics."
"About that Jasmine, she's your guardian, right?" Wanda nodded, "well, how powerful is she, really?"
Wanda wanted to stifle her laugh, "Let's just say, she is to Magneto what Magneto is to Toad. You have no idea how powerful she is, really. The only reason she's not involving herself in this, is because she knows how pointless this all is. To be honest, in terms of powers, even I am stronger than Magneto. But he's had decades to perfect his control over his powers, while I'm barely a novice in using mine."
Wanda enjoyed Pietro's look of disbelief. She could somewhat understand; when they lived together Magneto was untouchable, unbeatable, he was the epitome of power. And for Wanda to admit that she's technically stronger than him, it must have scared the shit out of him.
The boy shook his head and focused, "Look, we got off topic. Just come with me to see Magneto's demonstration and then if you don't agree with what's happening you could just leave. Just hear him out, that's all I'm asking here."
Wanda was still hesitant, "I don't know, Pietro."
"Come on, Wanda. Some of your friends might even be there. And tell you what, if you really disapprove of what's happening, I'm going to start thinking about leaving Magneto. Alright? Just please, can you do this for me?"
Wanda wasn't under any delusions that Pietro was trying to manipulate her somehow, but using her limited telepathy, she was able to sense his genuine affection towards her. He was also scared, probably of Magneto. Wanda could see the dickhead threatening her brother into convincing her to come. This was the first time in a while where Pietro was acting genuine and not the little mask he's been putting on. This must be very serious.
Wanda had to admit that she was curious about the machine Pietro was talking about. Don't get her wrong, she doesn't want to use it herself, but she was curious how someone could actually improve mutant powers, which are basically limited magical powers. Plus, if things start getting too dangerous, it would be easy for her to tell Jasmine. Her mother figure had given her a small magical rune that would be able to signal her, no matter where she is.
Resigned, Wanda nodded, "Fine. Let's just get this over with."
Suddenly a giant sphere of metal appeared above them and enveloped the two siblings. They stayed together for a few minutes until the sphere opened once more. They were somewhere different, something felt off about this place. The teenaged witch looked at Pietro questioningly and the man just smirked at her, "Welcome, Wanda, to Asteroid M."