Agatha Harkness. My mentor for years. I cannot believe what she has
told me. I cannot believe that she has given me this shocking advice.
She knows what she is talking about, I have no doubt of that. If
anyone knows what they are talking about it is Agatha, but what she
asks is so drastic. How can I desert the Avengers?
Apparently my mind is too cluttered with unresolved problems in my
life. She claims that I cannot open myself to the true mysteries of
the esoteric world until I have reconciled myself to these matters.
She told me to find myself in the breadth of the human race. To
finally embrace the myriad experiences that I have denied myself
whilst spending my adult life in Avengers Mansion. She told me to
travel. I cannot believe that it will be that simple.
Wanda stands up from her bed in Avengers Mansion. She is not wearing
her normal attire of pink and scarlet. She is wearing a simple pair of
jeans, a sweater and a pair of walking boots. Her hair is not put up
as normal, but tied back into a ponytail. She wears no make-up, not
that she has ever been enamoured by that particular American affection
before.
She opens a holdall that sits on the bed, already filled with clothes.
She was quietly amazed at the lack of variety in the clothing that she
possessed. She has spent so much time in her costume and so little
time relaxing. She begins to put other, more personal items into it,
slowly and methodically - taking time over each item.
She rifles through her wardrobe, fingering her costume one last time.
Styles have come and gone but she has stuck with the same costume
throughout. Pink and Scarlet. And let us not forget the headress.
Possibly I am the only superheroine, the only icon for millions of
women, who goes into battle supported by hairpins! I have tried to
change. When I was with Tony and the others in Force Works I wore
something a little less ... wholesome. Gods, Tony! Before that fiasco
with Kang I changed again. I even changed when my father was
influencing me, but I always come back to that headress. She
purposfully closes the wardrobe and locks it.
Moving to her dresser she picks up a selection of photographs. Pietro,
my brother. You have always been there for me when I have needed you
and sometimes when I haven't. How you have changed Pietro. How you
have changed! Your temper, your defining quality has changed. Even
your relationship with Crystal may be changing. Whe will you settle
Pietro? When will you finally find happiness?
Simon, Vision? Vision, Simon? Who do I love? who loves me...truly?
Vision, my husband has been destroyed and then has returned. First he
had no emotions, now he has again, but no memories, no recall of what
we had before. I wish I was as lucky as him. I can remember his touch,
his embrace. I can remember our happiness together. Unfortunately I
can also remember the sadness, the loss and the suffering I went
through when he was disassembled. How can I love him again, after I
have closed myself to the pain? Simon. What am I to do with Simon
Williams? Dead, not dead, dead again and then not dead! What part of
the Vision do I love? Is it Simon? Is that what I found when I slept
with him?
She stuffs the photgraphs into the holdall and fastens the zipper. She
looks around her room, bare now except for the fittings that have
always been there. She picks up the telephone and presses the buttons
in a slow, determined manner.
' Pietro? Pietro? This is Wanda. If you're there, pick up the phone??
OK, I thought I would tell you that I'm leaving the Avengers. I need
to get out of New York. I will contact you in the future, I promise.
Do something for me? Look after the Vision? He deserves better than
this. Love you Pietro. Bye.'
She pulls on her leather jacket and then stops. Taking it off she rips
off the 'A' symbol and then puts it back on. She throws the holdall
over her shoulder and walks slowly out of the room. She walks through
the mansion, hearing the noises that have become so familiar over ther
years. Cap is in the living room with Namor talking about old times.
Hank and Jan are sharing a cup of coffee in the kitchen. She reaches
the front door and stops.
' Mistress Wanda? You are leaving us now?' Jarvis is stood behind her,
his clothes immaculate in their presentation, his hands clasped around
a small package.
' Yes Jarvis. I need to go now.'
' Master Vision told me of your decision. I have presumed to prepare a
small luncheon for you. Your favourite cooked meats and some
pumpernickel bread?'
'Thank you Jarvis.'
' My pleasure Mistress Wanda. Travel safely?'
' I will.' Jarvis turns and leaves. Wanda places her hand on the door
handle and the looks back at the inards of the mansion. She feels into
her back pocket and produces her Avengers Identicard. Twirling it in
her fingers she places it on the table next to the door. Then she
fishes her Force Works communication button out of the same pocket and
places it next to it.
Finally opening the door she steps out into the Manhattan air. The
morning is fresh and the sky is blue. she steps up to the pavement and
waves to a passing car.
'Taxi!'
' Where do you want to go lady?'
She thinks for a while and then says ' North, as far north as you want
to go.'
**Interlude One**
Simon watches Wanda climb into the cab. He removes his glasses and the
ionic energy in his eyes flash. ' I'll find you Wanda. I have to find
you...'
**Interlude Two**
A view of a starscape and a huge spaceship moving towards Earth
' Deliverer, we will arrive at our destination presently.'
' Thank you Skewer.' Century looks out upon the Earth and smiles. Now
I will do things correctly. Now I will find you my dearest Wanda.
Next Issue Wanda heads north into Canada, tastes her first truckers breakfast and meets an ancient evil. All this and she gains a suprise companion too.
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