AFTER COULSON LEFT
Johan closed the door, his fingers lingering on the knob. Coulson's face nagged at him—the too-perfect smile, the calm that felt rehearsed. Where have I seen him before?
MARBLE: "Host. Facial recognition match: Phillip J. Coulson. Affiliation: Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division."
SHIELD.
The memory clicked—Coulson's face plastered in his borrowed world's history, standing beside Stark at the Stark Expo bombing, coordinating the Avengers Initiative. They're already hunting me.
"Marble," Johan hissed, retreating to his room. "Scrub all security footage within a five-mile radius of the junkyard. Delete any traces of me, Emma, or... weird shit from the last 72 hours."
The AI orb pulsed in his palm. "Infiltrating municipal servers. Traffic cams erased. Satellite thermal scans altered. Warning: SHIELD's F.R.I.D.A.Y. protocols detected attempting counter-tampering."
"Override them," Johan snapped. "And monitor my house. Emma's too. If anyone so much as blinks suspiciously near them—"
"Alert protocols activated," Marble interrupted. "Surveillance drones disguised as pigeons will patrol both locations. SHIELD operatives will be tagged with harmless neuropathic itching upon proximity."
Johan smirked. "Harmless?"
"Mostly."
A system alert flashed:
[ DAILY SPINS SAVED: 2 ]
[ CURRENT PRIORITY: OPERATIONAL SECURITY ]
He slumped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. They're coming. Shaw. SHIELD. Wanda. All of them.
EMMA'S TEXT
His phone buzzed.
Frost: Coulson's cute. You jealous?
Johan: He's 40. And a spook.
Frost: 40's the new 30. Also, your "pigeons" are shitting on my Bentley.
He groaned. "Marble. Tell the drones to avoid luxury vehicles."
"Complying. Suggestion: Send Miss Frost flowers as an apology."
"Flowers? She'd melt them into a dagger."
"Analysis: 89% probability."
---Time skip---THIRD DAY MARK
Johan sat in his room, the weight of the last few days pressing down on him. The chaos of his powers, the looming threat of SHIELD, and the uncertainty of his future all swirled in his mind. He glanced at the business card from the Ancient One, the embossed seal of Kamar-Taj glinting in the dim light.
Taking a deep breath, he dialed the number. The phone rang, each tone echoing his anxiety. Just as he was about to hang up, a calm voice answered.
"Johan. Are you ready to come and train?"
He hesitated, the words catching in his throat. "No, not yet. I have some work to do first."
"And what would that be?" she asked, her tone knowing, as if she anticipated his request.
Johan swallowed hard. "I need your help. I want to find Wanda."
There was a brief silence on the other end. He could almost hear her considering his request. "You wish to reason with her?"
"Yes. If you help me, you could have another powerful magic user to train. She's... she's lost, and I think I can reach her."
The Ancient One sighed softly. "You understand the risks involved, don't you? Wanda is not in a stable state of mind."
"I know," Johan replied, urgency creeping into his voice. "But if anyone can help her, it's you. And if I can get through to her, it could change everything."
After a moment, the Ancient One spoke again, her voice steady. "Very well. I will assist you. But you must be cautious. The path you choose is fraught with danger."
"I understand," Johan said, relief flooding through him.
"Prepare yourself. I will open a portal to a location in Latveria where she is currently residing."
With that, Johan felt the familiar pull of energy as the portal began to form. The air shimmered, and a swirling vortex of colors appeared before him.
"Thank you," he said, stepping toward the portal.
"Remember, Johan," the Ancient One cautioned, her voice echoing as he stepped through. "Your intentions must be pure, and your resolve strong."
LATVERIA
Johan emerged on the other side, the air thick with tension. He found himself in a secluded area, surrounded by dense trees and the distant sound of rushing water. The atmosphere felt charged, as if magic lingered in the air.
He took a moment to gather himself, focusing on the task ahead. Wanda... He had to find her.
As he moved cautiously through the woods, he recalled the stories he'd heard about her—her power, her pain, and the darkness that had consumed her. He hoped that he could reach her before it was too late.
After a short trek, he spotted a clearing ahead. There, in the center, stood Wanda, her back turned to him. She was surrounded by a faint glow, her hands weaving through the air as if manipulating invisible threads.
"Wanda!" he called out, his voice breaking the stillness.
She turned slowly, her expression unreadable. "Who dares disturb me?"
Johan stepped forward, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. "im Johan. I came to talk."
Wanda's eyes narrowed, suspicion etched on her face. "Who are you and why should I listen to you?"
"Because I know what you're going through," he replied, his voice steady. "I want to help you."
"Help?" she scoffed, her tone laced with bitterness. "What do you know about help? You're just a kid playing with powers you don't understand."
Johan took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions in check. "I may not understand everything, but I know loss. I know what it's like to feel alone. I came here because I believe you can find your way back."
Wanda's expression softened for a moment, but she quickly masked it with anger. "You don't know me. You don't know what I've done."
"I know enough," Johan pressed on. "I know you're powerful, and I know you're hurting. But you don't have to do this alone. I can help you find a path forward."
Wanda studied him closely
To be safe, he released a small portion of his own magic, weaving it into a thin layer of protection that enveloped him like a shimmering shield.
As the energy radiated from him, Wanda's expression shifted. She felt the resonance of his power, a familiar hum that echoed within her own magic. "You... you're different," she said, her voice softening slightly. "Your magic... it feels like it could help."
"It can," Johan replied, his tone earnest. "I came here because I believe we can work together. I know you're struggling with what's happening inside you, and I want to help you find control."
Wanda's gaze flickered to the ground, her fingers twitching as if she were tempted to reach out for his magic. "Control is the problem," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't seem to find it anymore. It's like a storm inside me."
"I understand," Johan said, stepping closer but keeping his distance. "I've been there too. But I've learned that we can harness that storm, channel it into something powerful instead of letting it consume us."
Wanda looked up, her eyes searching his. "And you think you can teach me?"
"I can help you," he insisted. "But you have to trust me. You have to be willing to let me in."
For a moment, silence hung between them, the air thick with unspoken fears and hopes. Finally, Wanda took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "I don't know if I can trust anyone right now," she confessed.
"Then let's start small," Johan suggested. "Let me show you what I can do. We can work together to find a way to control your powers."
Wanda hesitated, her mind racing with doubt and uncertainty. But there was something about Johan's presence, the way his magic resonated with hers, that made her consider the possibility.
"Alright," she said finally, her voice steadying. "Show me."
Johan nodded, feeling a surge of determination. He focused his energy, allowing the protective layer around him to shimmer brighter. "Let's start with something simple. I'll guide you through it."
As he began to weave his magic, he felt Wanda's curiosity spark. She stepped closer, her own power responding to his, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of hope.
As Johan began to weave his magic, he felt Wanda's chaotic energy stir around her, a tempest of raw power that threatened to spiral out of control. Instead of dissipating, her magic surged, reaching out toward him as if drawn to his own energy.
"No, no, not like that!" Johan exclaimed, trying to maintain focus. But it was too late; her chaos magic flared, rampaging through the clearing.
He quickly adjusted his approach, allowing a bit more of his magic to flow freely, creating a gentle current for her chaotic energy to latch onto. To his surprise, Wanda's magic began to stabilize, feeding off his power rather than destroying everything in its path.
"That's it," he encouraged, watching as her chaotic energy started to calm, swirling around them in a more controlled manner. "Just breathe. Let it flow with mine."
Wanda's eyes widened as she felt the connection deepen, her chaotic energy intertwining with his. "I can feel it," she said, her voice a mix of awe and relief. "It's... it's not fighting me anymore."
Johan smiled, sensing the shift in her power. "You're doing great. Just keep focusing on my magic. It's okay to let it guide you."
After a few moments, the storm of energy around her began to settle, the chaotic tendrils transforming into a more harmonious flow. Johan felt a sense of accomplishment wash over him.
"Do you want to come with me?" he asked, his heart racing at the thought of her joining him. "I can help you learn to control your powers, and we can figure this out together."
Wanda's expression shifted, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. "I don't have a home anymore," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Johan's heart ached for her. "You can stay with me and my parents. They'll understand. We can make it work."
Wanda looked away, contemplating his offer. "I need to think about it. I don't want to impose on your family."
"You wouldn't be imposing," Johan insisted. "They'd want to help you. Just meet them first, and then you can decide."
She met his gaze, her eyes searching his for sincerity. "Alright," she said finally, a hint of hope creeping into her voice. "I'll meet them. But I need to be sure this is the right choice."
"I understand," Johan replied, feeling a surge of optimism. "Let's take it one step at a time."
As they stood together, the remnants of chaos fading into a calm energy, Johan felt a bond forming between them—one built on understanding, trust, and the promise of a new beginning.
Johan took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. He pulled out the business card from the Ancient One again, ready to call her for guidance on the next steps. His thumb hovered over the call button, but before he could press it, a shimmering portal suddenly opened beside him, swirling with vibrant colors.
"What the—?" Johan exclaimed, stepping back in surprise.
Wanda's eyes widened as she watched the portal materialize. "Is that...?"
"It's a portal," Johan said, glancing between her and the swirling energy. "It must be the Ancient One."
The portal stabilized, revealing the familiar sight of his living room on the other side. He could see his parents' couch, the family photos lining the walls, and the warm glow of the lights.
"Looks like I'm being summoned," he said, a mix of excitement and apprehension in his voice.
Wanda took a step closer, her curiosity piqued. "Are you going to go through?"
"I have to," Johan replied, glancing back at her. "But I want you to come with me. This could be a chance for you to meet my family and see if you feel comfortable there."
Wanda hesitated, her expression torn. "What if they don't accept me?"
"They will," Johan assured her, his voice firm. "They're good people. Just trust me."
After a moment of contemplation, Wanda nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll go with you."
Johan stepped toward the portal, holding out his hand to her. "Let's do this together."
Wanda took his hand, and together they stepped through the portal, the world around them shifting as they crossed the threshold back to his home.