Long Island Villa
Golden sparks bloomed as James stepped through a portal into the living room. Wanda sat curled on the sofa, a book in hand, scarlet energy flickering at her fingertips, dancing with the page turns.
She looked up, red hair glinting in the sunlight. "James, you're back?"
"Just James," he said, hanging his coat. "The hearing was a formality."
Wanda's gaze lingered, hesitant. Finally, she asked softly, "You know Tony Stark?"
"Yeah," James said, pouring water. "I'm a Stark Industries shareholder. Partners, sort of."
Her fingers tightened on the book, knuckles whitening. James waited, leaning against the island.
Silence stretched, then Wanda spoke, barely audible. "Does he… know about me? Turing said you know my past."
"He's seen your file," James said, setting down the glass.
Her eyes flashed scarlet. "Did he say anything about Sokovia? The missiles?"
"He said they were smuggled by Obadiah Stane to Hydra," James replied, meeting her gaze. "He didn't know."
"Didn't know?" Wanda's laugh was bitter, chaos magic flaring, scorching the book's pages. "His weapons, his name, killed my parents, and he didn't know?"
James didn't argue. He raised a hand, a golden barrier containing her magic to the sofa. "I'm giving you the truth. Believe it or not, that's on you."
Wanda's chest heaved, the scarlet fading from her eyes. She stared at the charred book, exhaustion replacing anger. "If it's Hydra… who do I hate?"
James knelt to her level. "Hate doesn't need a target, Wanda. It only eats you."
He summoned the Mind Stone's image. "I can teach you to master chaos magic—destroy Hydra, reshape reality. But first, understand this…" His golden eyes locked on hers. "Power's a tool, not the answer. Revenge or protection—it's your choice."
Wanda stared, anger giving way to confusion. "I… don't know. Revenge kept me alive. Without it, what am I?"
"You could be a hero," James said, pointing at the TV replaying the hearing, crowds chanting for Superman.
She fell silent, then asked, "Did you save me for my potential or just because you heard me?"
He smiled faintly. "Both."
He headed to the window. "Training starts tomorrow. Rest today."
"Wait!" Wanda called.
He turned.
"If I want to take on Hydra myself," she said, eyes firm, "will you help?"
"I'll teach you to control your power," he said. "How you use it is your call."
He stepped onto the beach, his figure receding in the sunlight.
Wanda gazed at her hands, scarlet energy calm for once. She gripped the necklace, its pulse steadying her resolve.
"Hydra…" she whispered, her eyes sharpening.
She stood, chasing James onto the beach. "Wait!"
Her bare feet sank into the sand. "I want to train today."
He stopped. "Reason?"
"I'm tired of nightmares," she said, voice trembling. "Every time I close my eyes, I see those experiments. I want to control it, not be controlled."
He studied her, then nodded. "Follow me."
In the basement gym, amber lights softened the space. James sat cross-legged on a meditation mat, gesturing for Wanda to join him.
"Kamar-Taj breathing," he said, palms up. "Start with breath."
Wanda mimicked him, but her muscles tensed. He touched her shoulder, warmth easing her stiffness.
"Inhale four seconds, hold seven, exhale eight," he said, his voice rhythmic. "Feel the energy in your veins."
Wanda closed her eyes. Her heartbeat pounded at first, but a hum grew in her ears. Scarlet energy flowed smoothly, like a gentle stream.
"This is…" She opened her eyes, amazed.
"Your magic's responding," James said, tracing golden runes in the air. "Chaos magic isn't normal sorcery—it's reality-warping energy."
Wanda touched the runes, her scarlet energy weaving with them in dazzling patterns. "So, it's not just mutant genes?"
"Yes and no," he said, dismissing the runes. "Your genes opened the door, but your mind's what makes it powerful."
He taught her to form shields, shape energy weapons, even glimpse the future briefly. Seven times, she yelped at surprise light blasts. On the eighth failure, she smashed an energy orb into the floor, sparking a laugh from James.
"What's funny?" she snapped.
"I've seen many mages," he chuckled. "You're the first to smash chaos magic into the floor."
By dusk, she held a shield for five seconds. Elated, she turned, seeing James weave golden runes into a living galaxy. Her energy danced freely, but his power dwarfed hers.
"I've never felt so free," she said, an energy butterfly fluttering in her palm.
"Rest," he said, standing. "Overuse backfires."
She followed, blurting, "I can cook. I can't just mooch off you."
He raised an eyebrow.
"I helped Mom cook at home," she added quickly.
"Alright," he nodded.
In the kitchen, Wanda fumbled with a sizzling steak, oil splattering. She raised a scarlet shield, tinting the stove pink.
"Uh…" She stared at the burnt steak. "Bit rusty."
James laughed, taking the spatula. "Heat's key."
He flipped the steak perfectly. "Chaos magic's no good for cooking, but it can sense the meat's state."
Wanda leaned close, nearly brushing his arm. "You even cook?"
"I'm Chinese," he said, sprinkling herbs, the aroma bursting. "Not cooking's a tragedy in China."
Dinner was divine. Wanda's eyes lit up at the tender steak. "A million times better than Hydra's protein slop!"
James swirled his wine. "Tomorrow, complex shield spells."
Wanda set down her fork, voice firm. "Thank you… not just for training, but for giving me a choice."
Moonlight cast their shadows on the wall, waves echoing her quiet gratitude.
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