Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Witch and the Widows

By BetterInTexas

Chapter 01:

Wanda reached down into the cold earth, took a handful of dirt, and tossed it onto her brother’s open grave. She then raised her hands and the pile of dirt she had lifted to open the hole in the ground fell to its former spot, burying her brother forever.

It had been a short affair. Neither twin had ever been religious after their parents died. Religion had taken a backseat to trying to survive on the streets before joining HYDRA. Now the graveyard where her parent’s remains was gone, along with them, decimated like the rest of Novi Grad. She was well aware of her part in this. She had assisted a monster she believed had the same goals as her and her brother.

Her mistake had cost half her soul to die. Clint Barton had told her the story after Tony Stark’s creation had rescued her from death. It was a rescue she did not want. She fully planned her last act to be the death of Ultron by her hand before she joined her brother.

After she had been brought aboard the Helicarrier, she sat next to her Pietro’s body, never leaving his side. Seeing his bullet riddled pale body was her penance, her punishment.

After the citizens had been released into the countryside, Wanda lifted her brother’s body with her powers and gently carried him outside and continued walking, looking for a place he could be buried. The Avengers followed her, and she didn’t stop them, not having the energy or care. Her focus was her brother being laid to rest.

She found a spot on top of a soft grass covered hill. It had a beautiful view of a valley below, that was covered in trees.

Wanda hadn’t given thought to how she would find a coffin and considered burying him in the ground, wrapped in her oversized coat. Pietro had stolen the coat two winters ago, before either joined HYDRA. She had been freezing in the condemned and abandoned apartment complex they slept in, and he risked imprisonment for her. He would do anything for her.

The large blonde called Thor had brought a coffin with him. It wasn’t a traditional coffin but one that had obviously been used to transport dead agents from the large flying ship. Wanda was grateful for it.

After she had covered the hole, she walked into the trees below, accompanied by Clint. She was both grateful for his presence as it kept her calm but also wished he would go away. He was a reminder of what Pietro had died for. She didn’t resent him by any means but when she looked at him she saw her brother’s bullet ridden body.

The two eventually found a boulder and Wanda used her powers to break two large chunks off then shear the sides util they resembled tombstones. She knew Barton was impressed and probably feared her power. She had never had control of her telekinesis before Ultron, but since the battle, something had become unlocked inside her. Despair and grief highly motivated her she supposed. She doubted she would ever lack motivation again.

As they returned up the hill, Wanda saw the Avengers near or inside the hover jet they had flown from the carrier. Only Vision and Thor were outside the jet. She had heard the Widow worried about the green one disappearing, but that wasn’t her concern.

Once the headstones were buried and secured, she raised her finger and began carving Pietro’s name, his date of birth and date of death. On the stone next to his, she carved her own name with her date of birth.

“I doubt we will see each other after today,” Wanda said quietly to Clint, “but if you ever find out I am dead, I ask one favor. Try to return my body here. Bury me beside my brother.”

“Wanda…”

“Promise me you will try.” Wanda said again, more forcefully.

Clint sighed and nodded.

“What will you do now?” he asked.

Wanda shrugged. “Help the people rebuild I suppose. I will stay in the shadows, take time to decide what I want to do with my life. I have no idea right now.”

Clint stood in front of her, hoping to take her attention away from the headstone.

“Come with us. Be an Avenger. I know…”

Wanda shook her head before he could finish. “Leave my brother behind to travel to America? No Clint, I don’t belong there. Besides, I have no desire to be an Avenger.”

Clint was quiet for a moment, thinking of ways to convince her to leave this country. She was no more than eighteen years old. He couldn’t leave her here on her own, in a country that had just been ravaged.

“Why don’t you want to be an Avenger?”

Wanda looked at him in disbelief then thought of all that had happened and understood. She had told Ultron of her great hatred for Tony Stark but none of the Avengers knew. Captain America must have suspected but he did not know the reasoning.

Wanda told him. She told him of her parents’ death, of watching the bomb with Tony Stark’s name lying in front of her and Pietro. How they waited for the blast that would end their lives that never came.

“Tony had no idea his weapons were being shipped to terrorist organizations.” Clint defended him. “He stopped making weapons when he found out. I understand, but that bomb was not his fault. You know that.”

Wanda shook her head slightly. “That bomb was dropped by the U.S. Government. It wouldn’t matter. I know that every time I see his face or hear his name I will think of one of the two worst moments of my life. I know that while we helped Ultron, Stark created him. I know that he made another and even Captain America disagreed with him. I know the Norse god arrived and created another possible evil robot, because he had a vision. Is that how decisions are made in the Avengers team? They argue until the strongest comes in and does as he likes?”

Clint said nothing, understanding where she was coming from. He knew how lucky they had been that Vision had not turned out as Ultron did. She was right. Thor did take the decision out of their hands based off a vision or premonition. Steve and Tony had been prepared to come to blows over the decision.

“This situation didn’t put us in the best light. We all made mistakes, we all can do better.”

Wanda nodded, knowing he was right. “I will do better, but I will not do it surrounded by them.”

Clint gritted his teeth, frustrated at her reasoned argument.

“I’m retiring. I have… a family.” He told her, deciding to trust her with that knowledge if it could help his cause. “You can come live with us. We live on a farm away from everything. I understand you don’t want to leave your brother, but we can come back to visit him. You could have a home. Maybe you want to go to school, or go to college? You would never have to see them. Wanda, I don’t want to leave you here. Pietro wouldn’t want me to leave you here.”

Wanda stepped closer to him, rose on her toes, and kissed his cheek. “Do not feel you owe me anything because my brother died for you. He made his decision. He always had to be the hero. You owe me nothing Clint Barton. I am glad you are retiring. That team, they are not good. They will fracture one day. As far as Pietro, he would want me to follow my heart and my heart is not telling me to become an Avenger. I have a different path to walk. I’m just not sure where that path it yet.”

Clint placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, refusing to give up. “Wanda, they know about your power. The world is going to know about your power. HYDRA will want you back or want you dead. Everyone is going to want you found, captured, or killed. Come with me! I can protect you. We can hide you. I swear, we will have nothing to do with the Avengers. My wife will love you. My kids will love you. I have a daughter who would…”

Wanda shook her head. “If HYDRA or anyone else want me, let them come. They will find I am not so easy to take. Go home, Clint. Be with your wife… and thank you. If not for you I would still be cowering behind rubble. You made me brave. I will never be able to repay you for that. You were wrong though. When I stepped out, it was because you gave me courage to face the monster. I was not an Avenger. Best of luck to you and your family.”

Wanda looked at her brother’s gravestone, walked over and kissed her fingers then touched the top.

“I will return with flowers, brother.” she whispered.

She then turned to the jet and saw Tony Stark had come out and was speaking to the robot that had saved her.

She marched with purpose towards him, trying to push the grief from her mind.

He seemed a bit surprised when she walked up to him. Stark may have not known the entire story, but he knew she hated him and that was the catalyst for joining HYDRA and eventually Ultron.

“Legolas told you about our offer. What do you say, Red? Want to be an Avenger?” he asked once he had quickly hidden his nerves behind a smirk.

“If you ever attempt to build another AI, I will be there to stop you, Stark. First and only warning.”

Tony’s face showed no guilt or remorse. “I understand we have things to talk about. But whether you believe it or not, I want what is best for you. The Avengers can give you a family…”

“I had a family. We have nothing to discuss, Stark. If you try to make another and I find out, not even a god with visions will help you. This is your only warning.”

Wanda turned away from him and her hands glowed red. She briefly looked at them and understood.

To everyone’s surprise, even hers, she floated into the air and began moving faster, using her powers to guide her body as she normally guided other objects.

Had she not just buried her brother’s body, that may have been the happiest moment of her life.

As it was, flying was just a means to an end, the end goal being putting as much distance between her and the Avengers as possible.

She was not sure how long she flew. She didn’t go high. The feeling of freefalling before Vision caught her was still fresh in her mind and a part of her wondered if her powers had a limit on how far they would carry her.

Did she have limits? She was able to read minds and plant suggestions in minds. She could move objects, emit blasts of energy that destroyed whatever she wished.

Wanda needed to know the extent. She needed to know what she could do and become better.

First she needed a place to stay, then food, clothes, the essentials of survival. The remains of Novi Grad would have some food and clothes lying around the debris, even if they were torn and filthy. There would likely be food in containers and canned food. She could sneak in at night, search for what she needed and then find shelter in the forest. She could use the trees to build her a shelter and she knew how to start a fire from her days of being homeless.

Wherever she went, Clint was right. Many people would be after her. She included the Avengers among those. Tony Stark would not stop. He would continue to push the envelope, doing what he thought was right, no matter how reckless it might be. Would he make another Ultron? She hoped not but was not lying. She would stop him from trying if she could. Captain America wouldn’t be enough. The Black Widow was an unknown. She knew nothing about the woman beside the thoughts she had seen in her mind of the Red Room and those were confusing. Clint Barton would have been the only Avenger she trusted, and he was retiring.

HYDRA would want her back. They might want her dead, considering she fought with the Avengers. The U.S. Government would not be happy, knowing someone like her existed and they had no control over her.

Wanda landed, not far from the debris field of the city. The sun would be going down in an hour or so and she would begin her scavenger hunt. Despite the city being cleared before it exploded, many had no doubt died before that occurred, and she prepared to see bodies.

She felt him before she heard him. The power radiating off him, so similar to the feeling of her own. They were powered by the same source, so it wasn’t surprising. The stone that had granted her powers was firmly planted in his forehead.

“Wanda.” He greeted her, landing softly by her side.

“You wish to be called Vision?”

He shrugged, a strange movement for an android in her opinion.

“It is a name.”

“Thank you for saving me.” Wanda said, leaving out that she hadn’t wanted to be saved. He was Stark’s creation, but he was not Stark. He was not Ultron, and she had no reason to be hostile. This Vision was a unique creature but in her mind, he was a coin flip. He could have turned either way. He still could. It was Stark’s luck that Wanda never seemed to possess, that made him benevolent.

He was also another creature she was uncertain of defeating. Thor was stronger than her without a doubt. Vision was powered by and actually possessed the Mind Stone. Wanda suspected he would be much more powerful than she was, and he was Tony Stark’s creation no doubt loyal to the man.

“It appears I was not needed. I did not know you could fly.”

Wanda laughed quietly and bitterly. “I had no idea either until I wanted to put as much distance between me and Stark as possible.”

Vision nodded. “My hearing is exceptional. I did not intend to pry on your conversation with Clint Barton, but it was unavoidable. I understand your animosity and your concerns regarding Tony Stark’s actions. I even agree with you to an extent. It would not be advisable to create another such as I.”

Wanda was surprised to hear him say so, but kept her face neutral. “Yet you know he will try eventually. You will stay by his side, fight by his side, no matter what, correct?”

Vision shook his head slightly. “I shall fight for humanity. It is the purpose I have chosen for myself. I feel the best manner I can do so at this time is with the Avengers. Despite their recklessness and flaws, they are good people. You know Tony Stark is haunted by demons, yet he has the best of intentions. You could do more with the Avengers, find your path with them, than alone.”

Wanda interrupted him. “I understand what you are doing and appreciate it. My answer is the same as I gave Clint. I have my own path to find, my own journey to walk, just as you have yours but my path will be walked alone. Good luck, Vision. I truly wish you the best.”

Vision sighed, once again an unerring act for a machine, and smiled slightly. “Should you ever need me, Wanda Maximoff, not the Avengers, but me, I will find you and be there for you. Just think of me and call for help.”

Wanda raised an eyebrow, wondering what he meant. “Call you?”

“Think of me. I believe I will hear you. I can feel you already in a way I can feel no one else. It has to do with the energy of the Mind Stone. I am not sure if it will work but try.”

“When Tony Stark tries to make another AI and I stop him, whose side will you be on, Vision?”

“I hope it never comes to that but as I said, I am and will be on the side of humanity. If you need me, I will be there. I shall leave you alone for now.”

Wanda shook her head. “I believe it best if we leave each other alone for good, Vision.”

Vision smiled sadly and took off into the air.

Wanda waited for him to go and as soon as the sun came down, she entered the debris field and began rummaging. She made her choice. She would rather live from garbage, live in darkness in her quest for the light, rather than live in what was no doubt opulent surroundings in the Avenger’s headquarters.

---

Vision landed next to the Hoverjet where the Avengers stood gathered outside.

Barton looked into the dark sky, hoping to see a bright red light trailing behind Vision but he knew he wouldn’t. If he couldn’t, Stark’s AI in physical form wasn’t going to convince her.

Clint understood her reasoning. She was right in many ways. It was blind luck Vision hadn’t turned out like Ultron. Stark was certain he wouldn’t and expected everyone to agree with him, despite the undisputed fact that he and Banner to some degree were responsible for Ultron’s creation. Steve hadn’t trusted either Banner or Stark and then Thor made the decision on his own with no discussion.

She was also wrong in many ways. This journey she believed she must take was dangerous, lonely and would lead her to be hunted by so many people. She would spend most of her life hiding. That was no life. With him, he could keep her hidden safely and still give her a life, a normal, possibly happy life. The Avengers would report her dead if he asked them too and she could become Wanda Barton.

Now she had challenged Tony, threatened him if he tried to make another AI and Clint knew Tony didn’t like to be threatened or told what to do.

“No luck, huh?” Steve asked, disappointed that he had already known the answer as Clint had.

Vision shook his head.

“Great,” Tony grumbled, “another enhanced being who hates my guts and is extremely powerful. This one is an eighteen-year-old girl though instead of a killer robot. She can’t be left alone, unsupervised.”

Natasha sighed and crossed her arms. Her mind was on Bruce, their missing teammate and this was another distraction. Albeit this distraction was big.

“We can take her into custody.” Nat suggested, agreeing with Tony, not liking the idea of a teenage girl on her own with inner demons, grief and anger and untapped power that would only grow.

Steve shook his head. “Take her into custody? When were we appointed police officers with jurisdiction all over the world, Nat? You believe taking an eighteen-year-old girl from her home country and arresting her by force is the way to go?”

Rhodey agreed with Nat before she could argue. “The military can arrest her. She is too powerful to be let loose. An eighteen-year-old girl who has already threatened Tony with no oversight can be deadly not only to us but to countless others.”

Steve nodded. “What charge would grant the US Military the right to arrest a foreigner?”

“She helped Ultron.” Rhodey pointed out.

“Then get some cuffs for your best friend because Tony created him.” Steve pointed out.

The group quieted, not having an answer to Steve’s point. Rhodey glared at him but said nothing.

Steve had hoped Wanda would come willingly. She had fought with them, and after the death of her brother he hoped that maybe they could give her a different kind of family.

Much of this hope sprung from guilt. He looked towards the Helicarrier and saw transports still bringing survivors to the ground. Red and blue lights off in the distance were easily seen as first responders rushed to the demolished city. The Avengers may have saved the world, but this was on them. If he could have done something for one of them he would jump on the chance. If he could have done something for her… but he couldn’t force her. She would resent them. He also would be damned if he saw her in prison. No doubt Stark could build one that would hold her, but he wouldn’t let that happen.

He knew Clint felt the same. Pietro had died to save him and a little boy. Steve remembered how angry he had been at the twins but then his anger dissipated when he realized how young they had been. Like he had told Maria Hill, the revolutionaries were at war and that war had drive two angry orphans right into HYDRA’s arms.

“I would suggest leaving her alone.” Vision spoke. “I insist on it. Any attempt to take her by force would end in death, either hers or ours or both. She learned to fly by simply wanting to get away from Tony. Something in the battle was unleashed inside her. I suspect it may have been feeling her brother’s death. They had a very strong bond and with her powers mental in nature, it is likely the agony of his death has unlocked and will cotinine to unlock more of her powers.”

Rhodey groaned frustratedly. “So, she is becoming more powerful. Shouldn’t that mean we need to stop her now?”

“She would use your suit to crush you inside it.” Vision told him, his voice calm and matter of fact. “Angering her would unleash more power. The more she fights the stronger she will become. We must leave her be.”

“Are you saying you couldn’t contain her, Vision?” Steve asked.

“I am saying I won’t try.” Vision said quickly and for the first time, sounding irritated. “I will not allow anyone else to try. It is time for us to go. There are many who need our assistance. Wanda Maximoff is to be left alone.”

Vision took off in the direction of the ruined city leaving the Avengers behind.

Steve gathered himself, forcing his thoughts and concerns away from Wanda for the moment.

“You heard the man. We have work to do. People need help.”

Six months later

Dreykov hung up the phone and sat back, thinking of the possibilities in front of him. HYDRA had contacted him. He knew the organization was in shambles, but they still had money and influential people in the right places. He had collaborated with them before, and they had already wired the immense payment for this job.

Wanda Maximoff. He had heard rumors after the Sokovian disaster that she frequented Europe. A young eighteen-year-old enhanced girl fighting alongside the Avengers during the Sokovia disaster was someone who caught attention. His suspicions had just been confirmed by HYDRA that they had created her. Now they wanted her dead. She had been attacking HYDRA safehouses and bases with no intent, other than destruction and death, taking their money to fund further attacks and leaving bodies behind.

She was not associated with the Avengers. She also wasn’t very good at being on the run, bringing so much attention to herself. Either she was bad t hiding or cocky enough that she didn’t believe she needed to. Her grudge against HYDRA was no doubt great. Dreykov knew her training was more than giving her superpowers. She was likely tortured, pushed past her brink to see what she was capable of. Having a grudge would be natural. The two reactions she could have had were fear or anger. She chose anger.

His chemical subjugation of the newer Widows had been successful. Melina had outdid herself, making sure what happened with Natasha Romanoff would never happen again. If he had an enhanced young woman as a weapon under his control, what he could do would astound even himself. The idea os chemically subjugating this powerful girl had him very excited.

Yet he had no idea of what her powers were. HYDRA had just given him a general rundown, but he knew they did not know the entire extent. She had some gift with mental manipulation and telekinesis.

If that were the case, he could not be sure if the drugs would work on her. He could offer to help her take down HYDRA in return for her service but if she were angry at HYDRA’s treatment she would not approve of the Widow’s training.

Mental manipulation would only get her so far. He could likely not control her through conditioning.

He decided his best and safest option would be to kill Maximoff and stay in the good graces of HYDRA. They had been in existence for nearly a century and likely always would, despite the Avengers best efforts.

“Madame B.” he called into his intercom.

A minute later, the tall severe looking woman walked inside. She wore an impeccable skirt and button-down blouse, along with tall heels that made her look like an evil headmistress, which in a way, she was.

“Yes, General.”

“Our friends at HYDRA have a problem. There is an enhanced young female attacking their bases. She was one of their experiments gone wrong. HYDRA has tracked her down after six months to a small village in Germany. They want her dead.”

“How would you like it done, General?”

“Send Belova’s team. I want Belova to have first contact. This girl is powerful, and Belova is deadly enough to take her out quickly. If Yelena fails, I want her team surrounding her within sniping range. Take the target out with a headshot. We have no idea how powerful she actually is.”

Madame B was quiet.

“You disagree?”

“Of course not, General.”

“You don’t want to waste Belova.” He said, understanding her after all these years.

“Belove is an expert sniper. She could easily kill the girl without risking close contact. Belova has the most successful kills and is only seventeen. It will be as you command of course, General.”

Dreykov, nodded, not having to explain himself. Belova was very talented, and this would be her ultimate test. The most professional and advanced security forces in the world had not stopped her from killing over a hundred targets since she turned fourteen, but she had never gone against an enhanced before. None of his widows had. If any had a chance of killing one close up it would be Belova. If she failed, he would study what went wrong and prepare the next great widow. Perhaps one day, he would have a widow, Belova or other, that could get passed the enhanced individuals on the Avengers and have his revenge on Romanoff.