Journey of the Last Saiyan

Yesterday - South Korea - Seoul - U-Gin Lab

"No!" Wanda screamed in horror, stumbling backward after glimpsing into Ultron's consciousness.

High above, the clouds stirred as a mysterious power—dormant until now—sensed Wanda's pain and betrayal.

"This... this is your plan?" Wanda asked, her voice trembling as she faced Ultron.

"You would destroy everything."

The clouds churned, darkening ominously.

"The human race needs to evolve, and evolution requires extinction events," Ultron stated coldly.

Pietro stepped forward. "You promised we would create a better world. Not an empty one."

Crackle

Faint sparks danced between the clouds as they churned more rapidly.

Later, after escaping the lab, Wanda whispered, "We've been such fools."

"He weaponized our pain. Used it against us," Pietro said, his jaw tightening.

Wanda hugged herself tightly. "He wants to destroy... everything. All life. All hope. And we helped him."

Crackle Crackle

The sparks intensified, spreading through the darkening sky.

On a speeding train, Ultron's gaze fell on Wanda. "Please. Don't do this."

"What choice do we have? You lied to us. You used us," Wanda replied, crimson energy dancing at her fingertips.

Later, bewildered, she asked Steve, "Why trust us after everything?"

"Because everyone deserves a second chance," he replied, meeting her gaze.

Crackle Crackle Crackle

The atmospheric disturbance grew stronger, spreading from Seoul outward. Slowly, clouds gathered around the world, turning dark with faint lightning connecting them all.

Today - Sokovia

A blanket of dark clouds covered the world, silently churning as events unfolded on Earth below.

"What have I done?" Wanda whispered, barely audible amid the chaos her power had unleashed on a section of Sokovia.

"I can't... Concepts of Chaos and destruction... are too volatile... I can't risk using them here." 

RUMBLE

What had begun as sparks now grew into churning lightning, rumbling silently within the clouds. The mysterious force continued watching, feeling Wanda's fear, hesitation, and anxiety.

"He never needed a weapon... Sokovia is the weapon."

RUMBLE RUMBLE

The lightning intensified, responding to Wanda's growing horror, self-hatred, and blame.

Crashing into an abandoned storefront, Wanda leaned against a wall, overwhelmed. "This is all our fault... This is all our fault."

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE

Clint knelt beside her. "Hey, look at me... It's your fault, it's everyone's fault, who cares? Are you up for this? The city is flying. We're fighting an army of robots, and I have a bow and arrow... None of this makes sense. But I'm going back out there because it's my job... It's fine if you want to stay... But if you step out that door, you're an Avenger."

As clarity returned to Wanda and her fear subsided, the lightning calmed slightly, though still watchful.

"I can't stop this as I am now..." Wanda clenched her fists as crimson energy surrounded her, courage renewed by Clint's words.

In her inner realm, she addressed the tree at the center of her inner world. "I know you're aware of our dire situation... You've always felt what I feel... I know I've been unfair, containing you... I've been afraid of what fully embracing you might turn me into."

"I realize now that I can't face this crisis alone—not in my current state... No more keeping you at arm's length. No more denying what we could become together..."

"...now, I need all of you. I need all of me. I accept my fears. I accept you... I set you free."

During Wanda's transformation, the watching power sensed her awakening. The residual energy from the original petal from Orach's lotus—merged with her after the Battle of New York—finally activated one last time, dissolving completely. A cocoon of power enveloped her physical form, refining and enhancing her body to its perfect state, harmonizing it with her abilities and transforming her soul into something more mature.

As her body shifted between realities—a consequence of her power's underlying concepts being unleashed—the barriers between realms shattered. Her cocoon acted like a wrecking ball, but the presence in the clouds prevented anything from other realities from seeping in.

"I am Wanda Maximoff," she declared. "I will not hide while others fight. I will not be defined by my mistakes or my fear... If I walk out that door, I'm an Avenger."

She straightened her shoulders. "Fine. Let's be an Avenger then."

As she emerged transformed, the power in the clouds sensed her change—from scared, self-blaming girl to a confident woman. Hearing her declaration, the lightning calmed, watching in patient silence.

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE

It observed events patiently, growing more intense with each passing moment, until the catalyst that would finally awaken it fully arrived.

"You didn't see that coming..." Pietro managed, during his last moments before he fell still.

"PIETRO!" Wanda screamed, sensing her brother's death.

RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE RUMBLE

Feeling the raw, heart-wrenching pain and anguish in that scream—and the uncontrolled eruption of her power that followed—the force within the clouds intensified. The lightning gathered, forming a figure in fetal position amongst the dark clouds—a manifestation of power taking shape, moments from fully awakening.

Sokovia - Flying landmass

Clint had made it to a lifeboat with Costel, the boy he'd rescued. After gently handing the child to his grateful sister, he turned back to Pietro's body, which SHIELD operatives had carried aboard. Steve approached, his expression somber as he gazed down at the fallen speedster.

"I couldn't save him," Clint said quietly.

Steve placed a hand on Clint's shoulder. "He made his choice."

Clint nodded, his jaw tightening. "He saved my life. Kid was a pain in the ass, but..." He trailed off, unable to finish.

"I know," Steve replied.

RUMBLE

A violent tremor suddenly shook the landmass, nearly throwing them off balance.

"What was that?" Steve steadied himself, looking around.

"Cap, look." Clint pointed to the clouds. The dark clouds encircling the rising landmass now pulsed with visible lightning, violent streaks threaded with faint traces of crimson energy.

"Rogers, we have a situation," Fury's grave voice crackled through the comms. "The Helicarrier sensors are detecting abnormal weather patterns. Whatever this is, it's not natural."

"Someone want to tell me what the hell is happening?" Tony demanded, just as he finished cutting his way to the core, only to be thrown against the nearby structure by another powerful tremor.

Without warning, massive bolts of lightning began snaking through the sky, roaring like dragons as they struck both the Helicarrier and Sokovia simultaneously.

Helicarrier - Bridge

Fury gripped the command console as the Helicarrier violently lurched sideways. A blinding flash illuminated the bridge as lightning struck the runway, carving a deep gash across the deck and obliterating one of the massive rotors.

"Status report, now!" he commanded, his single eye narrowing as warning lights flashed across the monitors.

Maria Hill's fingers flew across her station, her expression grave. "Starboard rotor three is completely destroyed. I've rerouted power to auxiliary systems and am compensating with port thrusters. That will keep us in the air for now."

Another operator reported, his eyes widening at the readings from his station. "Sir, these energy signatures are off the charts. We can't take another hit."

"Shit." Fury looked at the violent lightning snaking around them from the viewscreen and made a split-second decision. "All right. Tell the lifeboats to return to the landmass and cancel any more deployments. We're safer on Sokovia than here. All hands, prepare for emergency landing procedures and brace yourselves. This is going to get rough."

"Roger" responded all Maria and the other operatives.

As the crew steered the vessel toward Sokovia, another massive lightning bolt struck a second rotor. The Helicarrier shuddered violently as explosions cascaded through its structure.

The massive shadow of the damaged Helicarrier sailed over those watching from the edge of the flying landmass. With failing systems and minimal control, it crashed through partially destroyed buildings before finally grinding to a halt.

On the deck, Fury steadied himself against a railing and grimaced. "Hill, remind me why we never installed a proper captain's chair on this bridge?" He straightened his coat. "Status report."

Maria wiped blood from a cut on her forehead, checking her console. "Two rotors damaged beyond repair and those that are operational are severely stressed. Emergency power at sixty percent. Hull integrity compromised in sections four through seven. Medical reports twenty-three injured, thankfully no fatalities."

Fury nodded, his expression grim as he noted the communication array was down. "Deploy emergency teams to the damaged sections. Get the wounded to medical. And someone get the communications array back online—I need to contact the Avengers."

A operator called out from across the bridge, "Sir! We've got massive energy readings centered on the church plaza!"

Fury moved to the monitor, studying the readings with his good eye. "Whatever this is… it's just getting started."

Maria studied the data scrolling across her screen, her brow furrowing as the energy patterns suddenly clicked into place. The readings matched a known signature closely enough to trigger a warning that made her blood run cold. The color drained from her face as she looked up at Fury.

"Sir," she said, her expression grave, "these readings... could it be?"

Sokovia

As lightning struck the SHIELD vessel, crimson-tinged bolts simultaneously hit throughout the city, demolishing buildings and igniting fires. The people of Sokovia watched in horror as their only hope—the Helicarrier—was struck, forcing it to make an emergency landing on the floating landmass.

Avengers' Comm Channel

"Stark..." Steve's voice was grim as he watched the Helicarrier's damaged descent.

"We need a new plan. We can't risk detonating the landmass now."

Tony's breathless voice crackled through the comms. "What exactly is happening out there?"

"A severe electrical storm appeared suddenly, Tony," Steve replied. "Lightning is striking throughout Sokovia and has disabled the Helicarrier. They were forced to make an emergency landing on the landmass."

"Then we definitely can't blow this rock," Tony responded. "Thor, any chance you can control this lightning?"

"The lightning is not natural," Thor's voice rumbled through the comms. "Something is interfering with Mjolnir's connection to the storm. I cannot command it."

"Damn it," Tony muttered. "Friday, what options do we have?"

"Limited ones, Boss," the AI responded. "If evacuation is no longer viable, we need to find a way to stabilize the landmass."

"Is that even possible?" Steve asked.

Vision's calm voice joined the channel. "The vibranium core remains intact. If there are no drones present, we should be able find a way to interface with it. If we can neutralize it properly, we might be able to safely guide the landmass back down rather than destroy it."

"And how exactly would we do that?" Clint asked skeptically as he helped evacuate civilians to safer ground. He paused, looking into the distance. "Wait—the lightning is actually taking out Ultron's drones. Even hit the Quinjet." He watched as something crashed from the jet into the city below. "At least this storm is handling some of our problems for us."

"That would be reassuring if we weren't potentially next," Natasha added, steadying herself on the damaged Helicarrier. "The big guy took a direct hit while shielding me. He's unconscious in the rubble from our crash landing."

"Nat, you're okay," Clint said, relief evident in his voice.

"I'm fine," Natasha replied grimly. "Stark, we could use a miracle right about now. Please tell me you have something."

"Working on it, Romanoff. Vision's plan could work, but we're running out of time. Let's—" Tony's transmission cut short as a crimson lightning bolt blasted through his makeshift entrance, striking the core. The impact unleashed a massive shockwave, rippling through the entire system.

"TONY!" Steve called out in alarm as a violent tremor shook the landmass. "Tony, do you copy? Answer me!"

"I'll go check on him," Vision offered, immediately taking flight.

Clint frowned, surveying their surroundings. "Cap... is it just me, or has Sokovia stopped rising?"

"It's not just you," Steve confirmed, furrowing his brow as he scanned the horizon with a troubled gaze.

"That's what I was afraid you'd say," Clint muttered, meeting Steve's gaze. "So here's my follow-up question, why aren't we falling? And what happened to all that lightning? Why did it... suddenly stop?"

"Good question," Steve muttered, his brow furrowing as he surveyed the suspended city. "This must be what Wong was warning us about."

The comm crackled with static before Fury's voice broke through. "Rogers... do you copy?"

"Fury, I read you. Tell me you have something," Steve responded, adjusting his shield.

"Negative, Cap," Fury replied, his tone grave. "The landmass appears to be suspended in a localized gravitational field. Our sensors can't determine how, but it's neither rising nor falling—it's completely stabilized in its current position. There's another thing..."

Suddenly, an immense pressure swept across Sokovia, so powerful it forced everyone - Avengers and civilians alike - to their knees. The air itself seemed to grow heavy, making it difficult to even lift their heads.

Church

As lightning lashed across Sokovia, Wong frantically worked to cast protective wards. Before he could complete the incantation, a violent blast hurled him against a stone pillar. He slumped to his knees, momentarily dazed.

Recovering from the impact, he had barely pushed himself to his hands and knees when an overwhelming pressure descended upon the church—a force so powerful it drove him back to the ground. His head bowed involuntarily beneath the crushing weight. The world fell silent around him.

Step

A sound suddenly cut through the oppressive silence—footsteps.

Step

Another deliberate step echoed through the church.

Step

Wong strained against the crushing pressure, managing to lift his gaze just enough. Through narrowed eyes, he caught sight of a crimson figure approaching—each stride measured, purposeful, inevitable.

Step

Recognition flashed across Wong's face as the blood drained from it. Even that brief glimpse was enough—he knew exactly who approached.

Step

The crimson figure advanced, each footfall sending faint tremors through the floor. Despite the pressure holding him down, Wong summoned his last reserves of strength to observe the being further.

As it passed, its oppressive aura washed over him—a dreadful, cold presence that Wong remembered too well.

Wong struggled to speak, but his voice failed him. He could only watch helplessly as the figure strode past him, moving toward the center of the church.

Wanda's POV

I knelt alone within a crimson-black bubble of my own creation—a pocket dimension where time crawled and silence reigned. Tears streamed down my face as my eyes glowed with power I couldn't see. Each breath sent ripples of raw energy outward, distorting reality around me.

Pietro was gone. The void his absence left was so profound that my powers lashed out instinctively against a world that had taken everything from me.

Step

A sound pierced my isolation.

Step

It came again, clearer this time.

Step

'Footsteps. Who would dare approach me now?'

Step

'Leave me alone'

My powers surged with my thoughts, sending a pulse of dark energy throughout my sanctuary. Yet the footsteps continued, undeterred.

Step

'What do you want from me?' My mind screamed.

Another wave of energy erupted from me, stronger this time. Still, the footsteps came closer.

Step

I remained motionless, hearing the approach but beyond caring, drowning in my grief.

Step

The footsteps stopped.

I raised my eyes to see crimson feet before me. Looking up further, I met a gaze as red as my own. The figure seemed impossible—ethereal, composed of pure, oppressive crimson energy that both existed and didn't exist at once.

"Who... what are you?" The words escaped as a whisper from my throat.

Dark energy flared from me instinctively, only to vanish upon touching the figure—absorbed without a trace of resistance.

It watched me silently, its gaze locked with mine. When it raised its hand toward my face, I didn't flinch. Why resist? If this being wanted to end me, I had nothing left to live for. My brother, my twin, my only family, was gone. Death might be a mercy.

I closed my eyes, waiting. But instead of the fatal touch I half-expected, it merely flicked my nose. In that brief contact, something flowed into me—energy unlike any I'd felt before. It swept through my mind like a cool breeze, clearing away the fog of grief. For the first time since Pietro fell, I could think clearly again.

My sanctuary shattered, reality flooding back around us.

"Who are you?" I asked again, rubbing my nose where it had touched me. Now fully present, I sensed what I hadn't before—the immense power radiating from this being, somehow suppressing my own.

Without warning, it snapped its fingers. The air rippled like water, and suddenly we were elsewhere, surrounded by both familiar and unfamiliar faces, with Wong somehow appearing beside us.

I saw everyone kneeling with their heads bowed, including the Avengers. Before I could understand what was happening or why they were all on their knees, my eyes locked onto a figure lying still on the floor of a nearby lifeboat.

My body trembled as I rushed forward without thinking, darting toward the figure. Falling to my knees beside him, I reached with trembling fingers to touch his cold face, to grasp his lifeless arm. The painful reality crashed over me again as I laid my head against his silent chest, tears spilling freely down my cheeks.

End of POV

As Wanda, Wong, and the crimson figure materialized, onlookers watched Wanda rush to Pietro's body and collapse beside him, her grief raw and visceral. Despite the valiant efforts of the Avengers and SHIELD, Ultron's attack had claimed many innocent lives.

Now forced to their knees by an invisible pressure that had descended moments earlier, survivors questioned their fate as their homeland drifted in the sky and their rescue vessels lay disabled. The appearance of the ethereal crimson figure only deepened their sense of helplessness, as even the mighty Avengers were forced to kneel and bow before its presence.

With their remaining strength, Steve and Thor raised their heads slightly. The figure's aura, though colder, was familiar from their New York encounter. Despite being made entirely of crimson energy, the distinctive face, battle-scarred suit, and defining features they remembered were unmistakable. This was Orach.

'I was right!' thought Thor as he channeled every ounce of his godly strength. "Lord Orach," he managed through gritted teeth, "please... lift this... pressure."

The crimson figure, a soul shard that Orach had left behind, stood motionless.

Wong, standing behind it, exchanged a troubled glance between the unresponsive entity and Thor after hearing the Asgardian's plea. Several moments passed in tense silence as the entity remained completely still, giving no indication that it had even heard Thor.

An idea struck Wong as he recalled how the figure had manifested as a reaction to Wanda's grief. Gathering his courage, he approached her, each step forward sending an inexplicable chill down his spine—as though death itself loomed behind him. Rather than deterring him, this sensation only reinforced his theory about the figure's purpose.

Reaching Wanda's side, Wong gently placed a hand on her trembling shoulder. "Wanda," he said softly, "I am truly sorry for your loss."

Wanda slowly raised her head, meeting Wong's gaze with tear-filled eyes. "All we wanted was to make this world better. Was that too much to ask?" Her voice was barely above a hoarse whisper.

Wong shook his head gently. "No, you weren't wrong, Wanda. Your intentions were pure. But the world isn't simple. It's filled with competing interests, survival instincts, and occasionally, truly malevolent forces that disrupt the lives of good people." He gestured toward the survivors. "Your people, like your family, were caught in the machinations of one such twisted mind."

A dangerous crimson glow flickered in Wanda's eyes as her voice turned cold. "Ultron... this is all his fault."

Wong noticed the dangerous chill in her expression and momentarily questioned his master's wisdom in choosing to train her. Yet he composed himself, recognizing that this grieving young woman might be their best hope for resolving the crisis.

"Yes," he acknowledged, "but Wanda, he's already taken so much from you and your people. For now, I need you to channel that pain constructively. Let's end Ultron's plan first—then the healing can truly begin for everyone."

Wanda surveyed the frightened faces of her countrymen, then nodded after a moment's consideration. With one final glance at Pietro, she wiped her tears and rose to her feet. Her expression grew confused as she observed the kneeling Avengers, then looked between the crimson figure and Wong. "What is that being? Is it forcing them down?"

Wong nodded. "Before I explain, I want to test something. Could you ask it to release everyone? Tell it no one here threatens you, and request it lift the pressure."

"Why would it listen to me?" Wanda asked skeptically.

"Please, just try," Wong urged.

After a moment's hesitation, Wanda turned to the crimson entity feeling a little foolish. "Excuse me... no one here poses any threat to me. Could you please release them from this pressure?"

To her astonishment, the invisible force immediately dissipated. Everyone around them breathed easier as they slowly stood upright, rubbing their necks and shoulders.

Steve, Thor, and Clint rose cautiously, exchanging troubled glances at this development.

"I was right," Wong murmured.

"What just happened?" Wanda asked, bewildered by the powerful entity's immediate compliance.

Steve approached carefully. "Wong, we'd like some answers too. That resembles Orach, but it's not him, is it?"

"Yes and no, Captain." Wong studied the figure thoughtfully. "I believe it's a projection left by Lord Orach, programmed with specific directives—" he turned to Wanda, "—including your protection."

"What?" Wanda's eyes widened as she finally recognized who the entity resembled. "Why would someone like him care about me at all?"

Steve, Thor, and Clint exchanged grave looks, realizing the implications of Wanda having such power at her command. Their wariness was evident in their posture.

Wong explained, "As I mentioned before, you hold special significance to Lord Orach. The exact nature of this connection remains unclear even to me. The Ancient One, however, should be able to explain more when we visit her after this crisis ends. Lord Orach likely left this guardian with the lotus before departing our realm."

Before Wanda could respond, Vision's voice came through the Avengers' comms, "I've located Mr. Stark. The core has sustained severe damage—it appears to have been struck by powerful lightning. Also, until moments ago, some strange force was preventing me from acting. Now that it has lifted, I've been able to reach Mr. Stark. He is currently unconscious and his armor significantly damaged."

"Good to hear he's alive," Steve replied, his expression serious. "Vision, is there any way to repair the core enough to safely bring Sokovia down?"

"I'm afraid not, Captain. The core has sustained catastrophic damage and is completely non-operational. What's strange is that Sokovia should be falling right now, but it's being held up by some unknown gravitational field. Given our circumstances and the extent of damage, repairs aren't possible."

Steve's expression hardened as he activated his comm link. "Fury, we need options. What's the status on the Helicarrier repairs?"

"No dice, Cap," Fury's voice crackled through the comms. "The Helicarrier isn't going anywhere anytime soon."

Steve's jaw tightened. "Understood. We'll figure something out here."

Natasha's voice chimed in. "If Vision can't repair the core and the Helicarrier's grounded, we're out of options. What else can we do?"

"Maybe not. We still have one card left to play," Clint said, glancing meaningfully at Wanda and the crimson Orach. "Wanda, do you think your new friend might be willing to help us out?"

"Barton may be onto something," Thor said, his gaze shifting to Wanda.

"I agree," Wong said. "That might indeed work."

All eyes turned to Wanda, who instinctively took a step back. "I—I'll try." She turned to look at the crimson Orach and asked, "Can you help us? Can you help bring this city down safely?"

The crimson figure stood motionless before slowly nodding, a simple gesture that sent waves of relief through the gathered survivors.

"It understands," Wong whispered, his gaze settling on Wanda. 'She must be properly guided and trained,' he thought to himself.

Without warning, the entity dissolved into crimson particles and vanished. Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd as the Avengers exchanged stunned glances.

"Where did it—" Steve began, but cries of alarm from the shelter's entrance cut him short.

"Look! In the sky!" someone shouted.

People surged toward the exit. Wanda pushed forward with the others close behind. As they emerged into the open air, collective gasps filled the silence.

A colossal figure had materialized in the atmosphere, its massive form dwarfing Sokovia. Its feet planted firmly on Earth's surface—one in the mountains, another in a nearby lake. The transformation of the crimson entity into this titan left onlookers speechless.

"By Odin's beard..." Thor breathed, gripping Mjolnir tighter.

"Please tell me you're all seeing this too," Natasha said over the comms, disbelief evident in her voice.

"You're not going crazy, Nat," Clint confirmed grimly. "We see it."

The titan raised its enormous hands and grasped Sokovia's edges. At its touch, a violent tremor shook the floating landmass as the mysterious gravitational field holding it aloft suddenly dissipated.

People screamed as the ground lurched beneath them. Wanda fell to her knees while panicked survivors cried out, believing they were plummeting to their deaths. Wong helped Wanda to her feet just as a dome of pulsing crimson energy materialized above them, enveloping the entire city.

"A protective barrier," Vision observed, analyzing the energy field. "Remarkable."

With unexpected gentleness, the colossal figure began lowering Sokovia toward Earth. The descent was smooth, defying the catastrophic momentum such a massive object should have developed.

"It's actually working," Maria whispered in disbelief from the Helicarrier, steadying herself as Fury watched with a solemn expression, once again witnessing how outmatched they were against beings like Orach.

Through the translucent dome, they watched as the floating city approached Earth. Mountains and valleys torn apart during Ultron's attack aligned perfectly with their counterparts below. The crimson giant adjusted its grip with precision, handling the massive landmass as if it were precious and fragile.

Sokovia settled with a gentle tremor, and a collective sigh of relief swept through the crowd as they realized the danger had passed.

"It worked," Steve said, his shoulders visibly relaxing.

The colossal figure maintained its position, stabilizing the landmass. It extended its hands over Sokovia's fractured edges, and crimson energy poured forth, seeping into the broken earth.

"What's it doing now?" Natasha asked tensely over the comms.

Wong stepped forward, eyes widening. "Can it be?" he murmured.

The crimson energy flowed downward toward Earth's core, connecting with the lotus base Orach had implanted after the Battle of New York. This base, now merged with Earth's core, contained a dormant celestial entity. As the energy activated the lotus, it began striking the sleeping entity, systematically absorbing its accumulated power.

A painful howl—inaudible to humans but felt as worldwide seismic tremors—reverberated through the cosmos. Scientific instruments across Earth detected unexplainable readings while the nine ancient beings who had served these celestial entities for eons, hidden from humanity in both remote locations and integrated within societies, collapsed in agony as they heard their master's final cry.

The lotus channeled this harvested power through the soul shard, combining it with Orach's understanding of the Primordial laws of life and creation. The broken land began to heal—jagged boundaries reconnecting as soil bonded with soil and rock fused with rock. This restoration spread outward in rhythmic waves, gradually making the fractured Earth whole again.

"It's truly reintegrating Sokovia," Wong confirmed, watching his suspicions materialize before him.

Vision, having ensured Tony's delivery to the Helicarrier for medical attention, hovered silently in the air above Sokovia, his keen gaze fixed on the phenomenon. "We're observing something beyond the science we understand."

Thor nodded solemnly. "This is power beyond your science, beyond even the magic that Asgardians wield. Perhaps only my mother or father, Odin himself, could create something similar."

From the healing seams where Sokovia rejoined Earth, vegetation began sprouting at an accelerated rate. Grass, flowers, and young saplings erupted from the soil, spreading like a vibrant green tide across the scarred landscape.

"Life energy," Wong whispered. "It's not just repairing the physical damage—it's restoring the land itself."

Wanda stood transfixed. "This... this is..." She gazed up at the giant crimson figure and whispered, "a God."

Suddenly, Sokovia shook violently. The Helicarrier's instruments tracked the tremor's epicenter to the church—where Ultron's vibranium core spire had been positioned. Fearing Ultron's return, the Avengers rushed to the site only to find the ground cracking and splitting apart before them.

"Everyone stay back!" Steve ordered, raising his shield as they retreated from the spreading cracks.

"Something's coming," Thor warned, gripping Mjolnir tightly. "Brace yourselves."

But what emerged left them awestruck. From the fractured earth rose a massive tree trunk, growing at impossible speed. It shot upward, its branches unfurling, until it towered over the entire city. Then, in a breathtaking display, the tree burst into bloom—thousands of delicate magnolia flowers opening simultaneously.

Civilians emerged from shelters, gazing upward in awe. Many fell to their knees, overcome by the beauty and miracle before them. A profound reverence for the crimson giant—their salvation—spread through the gathered crowd.

"It's beautiful," Wanda whispered, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the flowers.

Clint nodded, equally moved. "Yeah. Yeah, it really is."

"I gotta say," Steve remarked, his expression complex, "Orach doesn't do anything small, does he?" His tone carried both gratitude for the crimson giant's help and wariness about the immense power it represented.

"You can say that again, Cap," Fury responded before switching to a private channel. "Rogers, I need to ask—can we trust the Maximoff girl? From what we've seen, this... guardian that Orach left behind only responds to her. What if she decides to use it against us?"

Steve's expression grew contemplative as he studied Wanda, who stood transfixed by the magnificent tree. After a thoughtful pause, he replied, "That won't happen. She's a good kid who was manipulated by Ultron. She's a victim in all of this too, and she fought alongside us when it mattered most. She's an Avenger now."

"Cap, that might work for you and me, but there are people who will inevitably question her joining the Avengers," Fury countered pragmatically.

"Let them come," Steve replied firmly. "She's one of us, and we stand up for our own." His gaze then shifted to Wong. "Besides, it's likely she'll be departing with Wong to meet the Ancient One. We need to respect our agreement with her."

"I agree," Fury conceded through the comms, his gaze growing contemplative as he viewed the magnificent tree from the Helicarrier's viewport. "That's some view."

Just as peace settled over them and the crimson giant returned to its original size, hovering above Sokovia, a massive shadow fell across Earth, drawing alarmed attention from people worldwide. Looking up, they saw something that made their blood run cold—a colossal figure had appeared in space, towering over the planet itself.

Across the Cosmos - Moments Earlier

The death cry of a celestial seed within Earth's core rippled through the universe. Throughout the cosmos, ancient beings known as Celestials paused in their endless work of creation.

Arishem the Judge, most powerful among his kind, had been disturbed by a recent phenomenon—a cosmic announcement proclaiming a "Tournament of Power" from entities calling themselves denizens of the "Higher Realms." When this voice had spoken, an overwhelming force had pressed down upon all creation, compelling even beings of Arishem's stature to kneel and listen in silence, their vast powers temporarily nullified.

"These Higher Realms," Arishem pondered in the vastness of space. "Could they be connected to..." His consciousness flickered with memories from his multiversal aspects—the systematic destruction of cosmic entities across countless realities, including alternate versions of himself, by mysterious invaders from beyond known existence.

An emotion alien to his ancient being stirred within—genuine fear. These extradimensional beings had effortlessly torn through reality's fabric, methodically eliminating Celestial manifestations across countless universes. They had even vanquished the previous Living Tribunal, an entity second only to their supposed creator, the One-Above-All in the cosmic hierarchy.

The mention of "Higher Realms" suggested a troubling possibility: were those invaders merely servants of even greater powers? The concept that entire planes of existence might harbor beings of equal or superior might unsettled even Arishem, who had overseen the birth and death of innumerable galaxies.

As these cosmic concerns occupied his mind, the dying wail of Tiamat pierced his awareness. His enormous form tensed, all six eyes blazing with shock. This celestial embryo—meticulously planted within Earth eons ago—was supposed to be virtually indestructible.

"This cannot be," the thought resonated through his consciousness. The seed had been designed to incubate over billions of years, consuming the energy of sentient life until its emergence destroyed its host planet in a cosmic rebirth. Earth's primitive inhabitants should have posed no threat to such a divine embryo.

With effortless will, Arishem bent space-time around himself. His titanic form disappeared through a singularity, materializing moments later at the edge of Earth's solar system. As the spatial rift sealed behind him, his colossal presence loomed over the small blue planet.

His six eyes, arranged in three vertical pairs, fixed upon Earth—precisely locating the source of the celestial's death cry. There, he detected an energy signature unlike anything in his vast experience—immensely powerful and utterly foreign to their universe.

"What force," Arishem's thoughts thundered across the cosmos as he focused on the planet, specifically on the foreign entity, "dares interfere with the Emergence of a Celestial?"

Earth - Sokovia

"What force dares interfere with the Emergence of a Celestial?"

The voice resonated throughout Earth, causing even the battle-hardened Avengers in Sokovia to freeze in place. Clint's eyes widened in shock as he gazed upward at the colossal figure looming in space.

"What the hell is that?" he muttered, gripping his bow tighter.

"I don't believe it... a Celestial." Thor's expression darkened as he stared at the cosmic figure. "They are among the most ancient and powerful entities in the cosmos."

Wong's composure faltered. "That's... a Celestial?" he whispered. "But why would one appear here now?" he asked in confusion.

Natasha's voice came through the comms, steady despite the situation. "More importantly, it sounds furious. Did anyone else catch the 'Emergence of a Celestial' part? Thor, do you know what that's about?"

"I don't know," Thor replied, looking as confused as the others.

Steve raised his shield, assessing the situation. "Whatever it is, it seems focused on Orach's manifestation," he observed grimly. "Whatever's happening between them can't be good for us."

"If these two clash, we'd be collateral damage," Maria warned grimly through the comms. "Earth itself might not survive."

Wanda looked up anxiously, her eyes darting between the cosmic giant in the sky and Orach's manifestation. "Is there anything we can do?" she whispered.

No one spoke. What could they even say? The Avengers exchanged uneasy glances, acutely aware that there were forces in the universe against which even their combined might meant nothing.

Meanwhile, Orach's manifestation seemed utterly unconcerned by the Celestial's presence. It continued scanning Sokovia, as if searching for something among the ruins.

Just then the cosmic figure's voice reverberated once more. "I am Arishem the Judge," as its gaze locked on Orach's manifestation. "You who trespass from another reality—explain yourself. Why have you destroyed the celestial seed within this planet and prevented Tiamat's emergence?"

However, Orach's crimson manifestation still remained unbothered, ignoring Arishem completely. Suddenly its gaze fixed on a specific section of rubble. With a casual wave of its hand, it released a focused energy blast at its target, the resulting explosion sending tremors through Sokovia.

The entity then turned toward Wanda. It descended gracefully, landing before her, arms clasped behind its back. Under its intense gaze, Wanda stepped backward, suddenly conscious of facing something beyond her comprehension.

In space, Arishem's six eyes blazed with cosmic fire. "Identify yourself and explain your actions against the Celestial order," the voice commanded, "or face my judgment."

But, Orach's manifestation remained fixated on Wanda. She fidgeted uncomfortably, caught between his gaze and Arishem's looming presence above.

Lost in thought, Wanda barely noticed the movement until—"Ow!" A sharp flick to her nose yanked her back to reality. She touched the spot reflexively, looking up startled.

As Wanda raised her gaze, she caught what seemed like a playful smile flickering across the manifestation's features. Before she could process what she'd seen, the expression vanished completely, leaving her wondering if she had merely imagined it.

Despite everything happening around them, she felt an inexplicable sense of safety in this being's presence. The tension in her shoulders eased. Drawing courage from this strange comfort, Wanda met the entity's gaze directly and asked, "Why do you keep flicking my nose?"

Orach's manifestation simply tilted its head slightly, saying nothing and looking innocent. Something about this gesture made the corner of Wanda's mouth twitch—she couldn't shake the feeling that, somehow, this entity was actually teasing her.

Just as Wanda opened her mouth to speak, a luminous ring of energy materialized around Orach's manifestation. In the next instant, before the stunned eyes of the Avengers, the crimson figure was lifted skyward toward Arishem.

The Celestial, tired of being ignored, had finally acted. Despite caution toward this being with its distinctly foreign energy signature, Arishem had summoned powerful cosmic bindings around the crimson figure, pulling it upward.

"No!" Wanda shouted, red energy flaring instinctively from her form.

Thor swung and raised Mjolnir, taking flight, only to be instantly repelled by Arishem's power. Rising from his impact crater, his expression grave, he looked up with uncertainty. "They exist beyond our reach."

Above, Arishem was puzzled by the entity's lack of resistance. This made the Celestial both wary and confident—perhaps this anomaly recognized the futility of challenging a cosmic judge. Unable to precisely measure the being's true power, Arishem watched intently as it approached.

Throughout its ascent, Orach's manifestation never broke its gaze with Wanda. Its crimson eyes remained fixed on her face, observing as her expression transformed from confusion to shock to something approaching desperation.

The entity, essentially a soul shard of Orach himself, had been created with a specific purpose, to manifest only when Wanda faced mortal danger, to evaluate her potential and character. Though unable to communicate verbally, it retained Orach's essence and awareness. It recognized something in Wanda's reaction that went beyond concern for herself—genuine worry for its wellbeing, and perhaps fear of losing it.

Just as it reached the threshold of Earth's atmosphere, the manifestation's eyes flashed brilliantly. In one fluid motion, it extended its arms wide, unleashing waves of crimson God Ki that shattered Arishem's bindings.

The resulting shockwave struck the Celestial with unexpected force, pushing the cosmic entity backward through space. Below, the Avengers shielded their eyes from the blinding display.

"My God," Steve breathed, lowering his shield slightly to witness the confrontation.

Before Arishem could recover, Orach's manifestation turned to face the Celestial directly. Bringing its hands together in a fluid motion, it began channeling power—crimson energy coalescing between its palms, growing in intensity until it resembled a newborn star.

Arishem, only now registering the true threat before him, attempted to retreat, but reacted too late. The manifestation released a concentrated beam of energy that lanced across space, its brilliance visible from Earth like a second sun appearing in the atmosphere.

The beam tore through everything in its path. Dimensional barriers buckled and fractured in its wake. Even the Ancient One's order's mystical shields couldn't contain such power as it left Earth's atmosphere and streaked toward its target.

The Celestial barely managed to create a dimensional singularity to escape, but not before the beam struck its flank. A sound like no other—part thunder, part primal scream—echoed through space as Arishem vanished, grievously wounded.

Across multiple dimensions, entities of immense power took notice. Dormammu in his Dark Dimension, Galactus in the cosmic void, pantheons of gods and assemblies of Celestials—all felt the ripple of power and paused. Some recoiled in terror, while others leaned forward with keen interest, their manifestations reflecting the crimson light in their eyes.

Still others, ancient beings long accustomed to darkness, howled in pain and hatred as the light penetrated their domains.

In the Dark Dimension, where Dormammu had been testing the Ancient One's barriers seeking entry to Earth, the beam caught him unprepared just as he sensed a breach in the barrier. It tore through his manifestation's flank before dissipating, leaving the dimensional entity reeling and furious.

As the attack subsided, Orach's manifestation noticed its form growing fainter, its edges becoming transparent. Understanding its limited time and having made its statement, it extended its arms and channeled Orach's knowledge of Primordial laws of space to repair the dimensional fractures its power had created. Later, it turned back toward Earth and descended toward the waiting Avengers, whose expressions ranged from awe to disbelief.

It moved directly toward Wanda, who stood separate from the others, her wide eyes fixed on its approaching form.

"Are… you okay?" she whispered as it landed before her, a flash of worry in her eyes as she noticed how its form was fainter than before. "You're fading..."

Orach's manifestation studied Wanda, sensing her emotions and exhaustion as their gazes met. After a moment, it raised its hand and gently patted her head.

Wanda's cheeks flushed with embarrassment and a flicker of annoyance. "I'm not a child," she muttered, though the gesture brought a wave of unexpected comfort that eased the tension, anxiety, and grief that had been weighing on her throughout the day's events. His God Ki flowed into her, washing away the day's pain and replenishing her depleted strength.

'This... actually feels nice,' she admitted silently to herself, the tension in her shoulders gradually releasing.

As she surrendered to this strange comfort, something unexpected happened. Beneath the quiet moment, she detected a subtle rhythm emanating from the manifestation. Curious, Wanda closed her eyes to focus on it. The sounds of her surroundings faded away until only this gentle cadence remained.

Lub-dub... Lub-dub...

'A heartbeat,' Wanda realized with astonishment. 'He's… not just an energy projection... he must be an extension—a part of him. These are truly his heartbeats—his actual self's heartbeats.' The revelation stirred something profound within her.

As if responding to her recognition, her inner realm pulsed as her own heartbeat began synchronizing with the rhythm. The sensation was both intimate and otherworldly.

Lub-dub... Lub-dub... Lub-dub... Lub-dub...

In an instant, her consciousness slipped into another realm. Wanda found herself standing atop crystal-clear waters that stretched endlessly to the horizon. As she moved to survey this strange place, ripples spread across the calm ocean where her feet touched the surface. Above her, a crimson sky cast warm light over the serene landscape.

"What is this place?" she whispered, her voice carrying across the still waters. But before she could explore further, a silvery-green mist began to form around her. She instinctively stepped backward, but the mist moved in quickly, enveloping her completely.

Within the mist, visions materialized before her eyes. First, she saw herself with Wong stepping through a golden portal and—impossibly—Pietro alive, waving her off. Before she could process this, the image dissolved, replaced by a cascade of fragmentary scenes. Though the details remained elusive, each vision evoked powerful emotions—tears streamed down her face, followed by laughter, hope, and inexplicable joy.

A few visions remained most vivid as they played out before her. Her future self appeared draped in red attire, wearing a strange crimson crown, surrounded by swirling crimson energy and floating ancient books while two young boys tried to sneak past her watchful presence.

The scene shifted to what looked like a family gathering. Children played together, including the two boys from her earlier vision. Nearby, her mature self sat with two other women, all three laughing and nestled comfortably in Orach's arms as they watched the children play. Beside them, a young couple in strange armor cheered on the playful children. Though confused by the vision, Wanda's heart filled with an overwhelming longing for this family.

Next came a more intimate vision of her mature self and Orach alone on a strange world after a devastating battle. Their wild passion ignited amidst the ruins in a cavern. Heat rose to her cheeks at the intensity of their connection and the sensations that coursed through her from this vision.

Finally, she glimpsed a figure shrouded in primordial chaos, meditating with nine ancient rings of power circling behind him, radiating supreme might that both terrified and fascinated her.

"It's too early for you to be here…" The words echoed through the realm as a firm hand gripped her shoulder without warning, pulling her away. The connection shattered, visions scattering into fragments. Wanda's consciousness spun back to reality, the memories of what she'd seen already fading like a dream. Though the images dissolved, the emotions lingered—powerful feelings of purpose, belonging, and something she couldn't quite name. As her eyes fluttered open, still disoriented from the experience, she felt a gentle flick against her nose.

"Ow!" Wanda exclaimed, more startled than hurt. She instinctively swung at the manifestation's broad chest while covering her nose with her other hand. "What was that for?" After everything she had experienced, she felt closer to the entity.

The manifestation's eyes flashed with amusement before it vanished, leaving Wanda stunned. A collective gasp then drew her attention skyward, where the entity now hovered above Sokovia. With a single snap of its fingers, the massive energy dome shimmered before dissolving into countless crimson particles that scattered like embers.

After a moment of stunned silence, the survivors erupted into thunderous cheers. People emerged from shelter, their faces showed relief.

"Well, that was something else," muttered Clint, watching the manifestation hover above. "I'm just glad this long day has finally come to an end."

"You can say that again," Natasha replied with a weary sigh.

Thor laughed heartily. "It's never boring in Midgard." His expression then turned solemn. "But the power that manifestation displayed—and the fact that it made a Celestial retreat—will undoubtedly attract unwanted attention."

"Thor," Steve said, turning to face him, "do you think you could investigate what might be coming our way after this?"

Thor nodded grimly. "That's my intention. We must also consider that Earth now harbors more than half of the Infinity Stones, including the Mind Stone. Such a concentration cannot be coincidental. Someone is orchestrating an intricate game, and Earth has become too tempting a target for ambitious powers across the cosmos. Once we've addressed the immediate aftermath and helped these people, I'll depart to investigate."

"Agreed," Steve said. "I'd rather not be blindsided when the time comes." He turned to Wong. "What about you? What are your plans now?"

"I will escort Wanda to meet the Ancient One and begin her training," Wong replied, his gaze fixed on Orach's manifestation as it hovered over Sokovia, growing increasingly transparent.

"Good," Steve nodded approvingly.

Clint glanced at Wong skeptically. "Here's a question that might sound stupid—does she even need training with that... entity protecting her?"

"I believe this projection only manifests when her life is truly threatened," Wong explained. "It appears to be fading now that the immediate danger has passed. So yes, she requires training to develop her own strength, so she won't need to rely on this manifestation's intervention."

"Now that you mention it," Vision observed as he joined them, "it does appear fainter. It's dissipating, isn't it?"

Wong nodded silently before they moved to join Wanda as the manifestation descended.

As Orach's manifestation approached, Wanda bowed slightly in respect and gratitude. She noticed with surprise that two fingers were missing from one of its hands. Though momentarily startled, she quickly recovered, assuming it had expended significant energy.

"Thank you," she said earnestly, meeting the manifestation's gaze. "If you hadn't intervened, we would have lost Sokovia entirely. Now both the city and its people survive. Thank you."

The manifestation simply smiled and raised three fingers. The Avengers watched in confusion as one finger lowered, leaving only two extended as its form began to dissolve into crimson particles.

"What do you mean?" Wanda asked urgently, reaching out. "Please, wait—" But her hand passed through empty air where the entity had been moments before.

"What... were you trying to tell me?" she whispered.

"Perhaps it meant 'V for victory'?" Clint suggested with a shrug.

"I doubt that," Steve replied. "Could it be indicating the number two? Maybe warning us about remaining Ultron drones?"

"That seems unlikely, Captain," Vision responded. "Ultron's primary body has been completely destroyed, and I eliminated the last of his drones before arriving here. Ultron is truly gone."

"Perhaps," Thor said thoughtfully, "it was indicating its own limitation. Maybe it can only manifest three times, and it just used one of those opportunities. That could be what it meant."

Wong looked mildly surprised at Thor's perceptive observation. "That seems the most plausible explanation," he agreed. "After all, it's still just a projection, not the actual entity. Such manifestations inevitably have constraints. It likely can appear only three times when Wanda faces genuine peril, and now enters a dormant state to replenish the energy it expended."

"That makes sense," Steve nodded.

Wong stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Wanda's shoulder. "Wanda, let's go. Your people still need you."

As the team gathered around her, the distinctive sound of approaching Quinjet engines filled the air. Relief vehicles were arriving to assist with evacuation efforts. Wanda nodded, her thoughts turning to her fellow Sokovians.

While the Avengers dispersed to help with evacuation, Wanda assisted a family to safety. Her gaze drifted to where her brother had fallen, and grief tightened her chest. "I'm alone now," she whispered, the words barely audible.

"You wish," came a familiar voice behind her that made her heart stop. Wanda spun around, her eyes widening in disbelief as she took an unsteady step backward.

"Hey, little sister," Pietro said with his characteristic grin, standing before her impossibly alive. "You aren't getting rid of me that easily."

Moments before

After releasing Sokovia from the crimson energy dome, Orach's manifestation turned its gaze toward Pietro's body. It sensed the profound grief lingering in Wanda's heart and assessed how she might spiral into darkness without her twin's stabilizing presence. After brief contemplation, the manifestation made a rare exception to cosmic law and Orach's principles.

Drawing upon Orach's understanding of the Primordial Laws of Life, the manifestation extended its power and called upon the base of the lotus in Earth's core one last time to channel its residual energy toward Pietro's body. Crimson energy flowed from the lotus's base, materializing as vegetative tendrils that grew, reached out, and enveloped the speedster's body without getting noticed. This energy, infused with celestial essence, didn't merely heal Pietro—it reconstructed, refined, and enhanced his physical form, restoring it beyond its original capabilities.

While the body was being restored, the manifestation closed its eyes and reached beyond the physical realm. Drawing upon Orach's understanding of the Primordial Laws of Death, it touched the fundamental principles governing life and death in this lower realm. Its consciousness extended outward, searching until it located what it sought—the domain of Death herself.

Death sensed the intrusion immediately. Draped in midnight robes with a face both beautiful and horrifying, she rose from her throne.

"Who dares?" Her voice echoed through her domain, ancient and unyielding. Her eyes narrowed as she detected an unknown power attempting to extract a soul. "That soul belongs to me now. The balance must be maintained—"

She stopped abruptly, recognizing the distinctive crimson energy signature. "You... you're the being that unleashed that attack earlier?" Surprise quickly transformed into indignation. "First you disrupt the power scale of this multiverse, and now you seek to violate the natural order itself?"

Death's power surged forward, skeletal hands outstretched to reclaim Pietro's soul. The manifestation did nothing, allowing her to make contact—but when she touched the crimson God Ki, a catastrophic backlash erupted. The force hurled Death violently backward, slamming her against her throne before she collapsed at its base, trembling with pain.

For perhaps the first time in countless eons, Death experienced genuine pain. She touched her form where the backlash had struck, discovering fractures spreading across her manifestation. "Impossible..." she whispered, her eyes widening with an emotion foreign to her eternal existence—fear.

"Fine. This soul returns to the living," the manifestation declared, its voice resonating with finality.

But, the manifestation, as Orach's soul shard, understood that cosmic balance had to be maintained to prevent consequences that could impact entire universes. As such, it paid its price—two of its fingers suddenly crystallized and shattered, dissolving into pure God Ki that flowed into the universe as compensation for reclaiming a soul from death. Fortunately, Pietro had only been dead for a couple of hours, making this level of sacrifice sufficient.

Pietro's soul emerged from Death's realm—a luminous essence that the manifestation carefully guided back toward the mortal world.

As the manifestation departed with Pietro's soul, Death rose shakily to her throne. "This violation will not be forgotten," she said in a cold tone. But then, sensing the rich God Ki infusing with the universe, she scoffed, "You may have offered compensation, but you still attacked me. I will find a way. A price must always be paid for cheating Death."

Back on Earth, the manifestation focused on the delicate process of binding Pietro's soul to his restored body. Once its part of the work was complete, the manifestation descended toward Wanda.

As the manifestation faded away and the Avengers began coordinating relief efforts, Pietro's body suddenly inhaled sharply. His eyes fluttered open as color flooded back into his pale face and life force coursed through him. He sat up with a gasp, startling a nearby SHIELD operative who reflexively fired his weapon.

To Pietro's astonishment, the world suddenly froze completely. Unlike before, when his super-speed merely slowed his perception of time, now everything appeared absolutely motionless—the bullets aimed at him suspended in mid-air.

Eager to find his sister, Pietro navigated through the frozen scene of rescue workers and survivors. He paused briefly to listen to fragments of conversation about how the battle had concluded, his eyes widening at mentions of a crimson entity that had saved the entire city.

Finally, he spotted Wanda helping a family to safety. He approached just as she whispered, "I'm alone now," her voice thick with grief.

Pietro smiled softly, positioning himself behind her. "You wish,"

Back to the Present

Wanda's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at her brother standing before her. Instinctively, crimson energy flared around her fingertips, her expression turned cold.

"Whoa, little sister!" Pietro exclaimed, vanishing from the spot where Wanda had telekinetically hurled a chunk of nearby rubble. He reappeared several feet away, hands raised in surrender. "Are you trying to kill me again?"

Wanda's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice cold and threatening. "It doesn't matter. Whatever you are, you chose poorly." Her lips curved into a bitter smile. "My brother wasn't that handsome."

Pietro's mouth twitched at the jab as he effortlessly sidestepped another blast of crimson energy.

"Very funny," he retorted with a slight smile. "Come on, little sister." Despite his light tone, his eyes reflected understanding. "Look, I know how crazy this seems. But Wanda, it's really me. I don't understand how I'm alive either, but I am." His voice softened. "Try to feel our bond, little sister. It's still there."

Wanda hesitated, her energy-wreathed hands still poised to attack. After a moment's consideration, she closed her eyes, reaching out with her mind toward the familiar twin connection that had been violently severed hours before. Where there had been only an aching void since Pietro's death, she now felt something—a ripple, then a steady pulse as their familiar bond reestablished itself.

Her eyes flew open, wide with shock and hope. Slowly, she lowered her hands, the crimson energy dissipating around her fingers. "It... it really is you," she whispered, her voice trembling. Meeting his gaze, she asked, "How is this possible?"

Pietro shook his head. "Honestly? I have no clue. One moment there was nothing, and the next... it felt like I fell into a vortex of crimson energy." He looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers. "I woke up feeling better than ever. Stronger. Faster."

"It must be him," Wanda muttered under her breath. Hearing about the crimson vortex and knowing only a god or godlike being could bring back the dead, she wanted to believe it was Orach's manifestation who had revived her brother, despite having no proof. Her tense shoulders finally relaxed.

A sob escaped Wanda's throat as she rushed forward, throwing her arms around her brother. "All that matters is you're back," she whispered fiercely into his shoulder.

"Aww, I knew you'd miss me," Pietro teased, his voice lighter now as he returned her embrace, though his own eyes glistened with unshed tears. After a moment, he pulled back slightly to look at her. "So, did I miss anything important while I was dead?"

Wanda recounted the aftermath, each revelation leaving Pietro stunned. Soon, when she brought him to meet the Avengers and Wong, they immediately regarded his return with suspicion and interrogated him thoroughly. After Wanda shared her belief that Orach's manifestation had resurrected her brother, they accepted his presence—albeit with lingering caution. Without concrete proof, they ultimately accepted him simply out of respect for Wanda.

Later, alone together, the twins made their decisions.

"I need to go with Wong," Wanda said softly. "Wong said his master can train me and help me understand my powers and bring out my potential. I want to grow stronger so I never lose anyone I care about ever again."

"Plus, they know what makes you so important to that Orach character." Pietro nodded. "Fine. If you're going with the wizard, I'll join the Avengers. They can train me to use my powers too, especially since they've grown stronger. Besides, they could use someone with my abilities."

Both twins shared a determined glance and nodded. Later, as Pietro and the Avengers waved goodbye, Wong opened a golden shimmering portal. Wanda suddenly felt a strange sense of déjà vu wash over her. She couldn't place it, but somehow she felt she had witnessed this exact scene before—Wong creating a golden portal while her brother bid them farewell. After a moment, she shook her head and took a deep breath. Exchanging one final glance with Pietro, she crossed over with Wong, ready for whatever lay ahead.