Dreamwalking

I'm sitting on my couch, absentmindedly petting Señor Scratchy while reflecting on the events of the previous day: Wanda's sudden pregnancy, the birth of the twins, and the fact that Geraldine had been kicked out of the hex.

While I'm relieved to be rid of her, I can't help but wonder why Wanda made the decision to remove her from this perfect life. What exactly did Geraldine do to deserve that fate? What did she say to make Wanda see her as a threat?

I know Wanda used magic to create her two children—there's no way to go through a pregnancy in just one day. But my thoughts are fixated on what kind of magic she used to achieve this. She doesn't possess the Darkhold since I acquired it before meeting her, so she can't have used a spell from the Book of the Damned.

The only thing I can think of is that she used her magic for spontaneous creation, but the only one capable of that is the Scarlet Witch. If that's true, it would be very bad news because the chance of getting my daughter back would be nearly impossible.

I can't help but wonder whether having the twins was something that was meant to happen to her. If it was, the chances of her being the Scarlet Witch would be much smaller. I know I need to find an answer to this question because it's crucial for understanding Wanda's future. I need answers, and I realize that dreamwalking is the only way to get them.

Of course, I've dreamwalked before, but it's definitely not something I'm fond of. No matter how much power I've stolen from witches over the years, it still takes a huge toll on me.

I think back to some of the experiences I've had in the bodies of my variants in the Multiverse. One of them lived a happy life with a beautiful woman and a daughter with warm brown eyes but lacked any form of magical power. I found this version of myself weak and pathetic. I didn't need anyone, Señor Scratchy was more than enough company for me.

Another variant chose to follow the good path and use only white magic, earning her mother's approval. Eventually, she took over the leadership of the coven of witches she was part of. I felt sick when I discovered this. How disgusting. It didn't take long for me to have her kill all of her coven members and leave her to deal with the consequences.

Another one of my variants managed to become the most feared witch in the world, not even the Avengers dared to raise a finger against her. How amazing and fulfilling it was to witness that. It inspired me to absorb even more witches' powers and become stronger than I already was.

However, the only thing all of these experiences had in common was that they left me absolutely exhausted. I've learned the hard way that most of my magic is drained after performing such a dark ritual.

It's a very dangerous game to play, but I have to take the risk if I want answers about Wanda Maximoff's twins. With a deep breath, I gently lift my familiar from my lap and walk toward the door that leads to my dungeon. I can feel the power of the Darkhold all the way from here.

Other me, here I come.

The sound of my shoes echoes against the cold walls of my dungeon. The trail of rituals and spells I've performed down here is so clearly present that it almost looks like a purple shine is visible in the light.

I take a deep breath, inhaling the lingering traces of magic that still remain. A sense of calmness washes over me. This is something I'm familiar with. Doing rituals and casting spells is something I've done for so many years it has become a part of me.

I walk to the center of the room and a smile crosses my lips when I see my beloved familiar enter the room behind me, ready to lend me his power. With a wave of my hand, a dozen candles appear out of nowhere and gather around me. With a snap of my fingers, my boring neighborly clothes make way for the comfortable tunic I'm used to wearing when practicing the dark arts.

I extend my arms out in front of me, hands open and facing upwards. I then bring my hands together in front of my chest, closing them into fists. The buzzing sensation of magic waking up is all around me. I raise one arm above of my head, palm facing up. I then bring that arm down in front of me, tracing a circle in the air as I do so. The candles ignite in purple flames, casting eerie shadows on the walls and ceiling, creating a dark magical atmosphere.

I cross my legs and sit down, but instead of touching the ground, I hover above it. The Darkhold is still lying on the floor in front of me, and I close my eyes, channeling its power. I can feel it take control of every fiber of my being, like a raging hot fire burning its way through me. I softly start to chant in Latin, and the book begins to float mid-air, surrounded by a purple aura.

Slowly, the light spreads across the room, bathing everything in an otherworldly glow. Suddenly, my eyes snap open, revealing purple glowing irises that look like they are from another world. In some way, they are. All around me, I see tiny purple planets floating. There are hundreds of them, and each of them represents a world in the Multiverse.

My eyes snap shut, and I feel my body falling forward, accompanied by a painfully cold feeling going through me, as if I've been pushed in ice water. When I open my eyes and look around I'm no longer in my dungeon, but I'm standing in an apple yard, with the warm sun shining on my face. A wicked smile crosses my lips. Mission accomplished. 

I look around, taking in my surroundings. There is a clear blue sky with not a single cloud in sight. The blossoms on the apple trees spread a sweet scent, and the warm sun on my skin relaxes my muscles.

"Auntie Agatha!" The voice of a boy makes me turn around and, I can see Billy Maximoff running towards me. His dark blonde hair accentuates his blue eyes, and his smile lights up his entire face. "Do you know where Tommy is? We're playing tag and I'm it!"

Of course, I don't. I'm not the Agatha he thinks I am. But before I have the chance to come up with an answer, I can hear another boy giggling from behind me.

"You'll never catch me!" Tommy's voice calls out, and I can see him running away, with Billy following behind.

"Just you wait!"

Laughter fills the summer air and I notice that I am holding pruning shears. Apparently, I was cutting some flowers seeing as there are a bunch of them lying on the ground, and I put them down.

"I love it when they get along for once." Wanda's voice makes me turn around and I can see her walking towards me.

I know she expects a reply, so with a smile I say: "Boys will be boys."

Laughter leaves her lips. "You can say that yes."

She stops next to me, and together we look at the twins, running around and laughing, joy being the only thing on their minds for now. "You know, I never really thanked you."

I turn my attention to my foster daughter instead of the boys, interested in where the conversation will be going. "Whatever for?"

"A lot of time has passed since that day you gave Pietro and me shelter, but you have always been there for me. When I lost Pietro in that car accident, I felt like a part of me had died together with him. But you never gave up on me. You demanded that I kept living. Thanks to you, I met Jonah, who was the most amazing husband I could have dreamed of. You helped me through that difficult and challenging pregnancy, and you have always been there for the boys, becoming their aunt from the very first moment you saw them. And then you helped me through the loss of Jonah to cancer. You were there for the twins, and you didn't even have to think twice about taking us in. It warms my heart to see them smile again, and that's all thanks to you."

A moment of silence fills the air as I take in everything she has said. It's quite clear to me that Agatha in this universe had continued to be an important aspect in Wanda's life, being there for her through all of the milestones in her life.

She has also unknowingly given me the information I needed about how she got the twins in this world, so I had all the details I was looking for and was ready to go. But I couldn't leave her hanging; I had to respond. "I'm happy you guys are in my life, Wanda. You are what makes it complete."

How corny, but I can't deny that the relationship this Agatha has with her adoptive daughter is the one I am secretly dreaming of. The boys appear in front of us, out of breath but with smiles on their faces. "Can we get some ice cream auntie Agatha? Pleaaaaseeee?"

Two pairs of puppy eyes look into mine, and a smile crosses my face. Wanda was the one to reply though: "You know what, if you help Agatha with bringing back the flowers to the house, you can have some ice cream. Deal?"

The children nod enthusiastically, and both of them high-five their mother before they start to collect the flowers lying on the ground. I know it's time for me to go, and the ice-cold sensation runs through me again as I pull back out of my variant.

I open my eyes and look around. I'm sitting in the middle of a very busy café, with a cup of hot coffee and a newspaper in front of me. I pick up the paper and read the headline of the week: "New Magic-Powered Transportation System to Launch Next Month".

I can't help but be interested in what this magic powered transportation system exactly is, so I continue reading the article: "After years of development, the new magic-powered transportation system is set to launch next month, revolutionizing the way people travel in our city. This cutting-edge system, powered by the latest advancements in magical technology, will offer a fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional modes of transportation. With its sleek design and advanced features, the magic-powered transportation system is sure to be a game-changer in the world of urban travel. Don't miss out on this exciting new development – be sure to experience the magic for yourself!"

I realize that I have arrived in a world where magic is openly used by everyone. As I scan the room, I notice the barista behind the counter using a form of fire magic to heat the coffee to the perfect temperature for the customer, and people waiting in line openly practicing their magical skills.

My attention is drawn to a father and his daughter standing a few feet away from me. The little girl's eyes light up as she watches the illusion of an otter splashing around in a small pool of water, seemingly created out of thin air by her father's magic. The water glistens under the magical light, and the little girl giggles and claps her hands, completely lost in the wonder of the illusion, forgetting all about the long line and the wait.

While the girl's happiness is not something I can relate to, I do acknowledge the impressive display of magic.

The business woman standing behind the father and his daughter, is holding her hand out, and as she writes in the air with her finger, a trail of bright orange letters appears, each one leaving a trail of sparkling light behind it. Her movements are smooth and precise, and the writing appears to be effortless.

Behind her is a young man who is wearing headphones, seemingly lost in his music, and his phone is floating in front of him, following his every movement. He is scrolling through a newsfeed with ease, occasionally tapping his finger in the air to interact with the phone's interface.

A man standing at my table clearing his throat draws my attention to him. It's the barista, and I shake my head politely as he starts cleaning up my stuff. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee permeates the air, and the croissants on display look rather tasty, but I have to remind myself what I'm here for: to find Wanda and get some more answers.

I close my eyes and start to block out all of the senses around me, concentrating on the essence of chaos magic. It doesn't take long before I can feel the soft buzzing of her magic around me. Without a doubt, I open my eyes. I leave the coffee shop, determined to follow the trail of Wanda's magic.

As I follow her energy, it leads me to a park not too far from the coffee shop. It's a warm summer day and many families are out and about, enjoying the sun. It doesn't take me long to find the little witch and her two children, but I decide to keep my distance. I don't know what relationship I have with her in this universe, if any at all.

So, I hide myself in the shadow of the trees and observe from afar. Like so many others, they are enjoying the pleasant weather, and smiles are present on all their faces. Wanda is sitting on the grass with a book in her lap, spending some quality time reading, but I'm too far away to see which book it is. The two boys are throwing a ball around and are clearly enjoying themselves.

Tommy's voice calls out to his mother: "Mom, watch us! Mom!"

With a sigh, Wanda closes her book and shifts her attention to her boys. Billy runs a bit, creating more distance between him and his brother. "Go long, got it!" he says.

Tommy responds, "All right, go on back, go on back," before throwing the ball. However, he uses his super speed to catch the ball before Billy has the chance to do so.

"Hey no fair! Muuuum, Tommy used his powers!" Billy complains. 

Wanda lets out a soft laugh. "Then you do the same, silly. Go for it."

Billy laughs and uses his powers to make the ball levitate, after which it's catapulted into the air. Immediately, Tommy runs after it, using the super speed he possesses. It's interesting to see the boys growing up in a world where their powers are allowed to be used freely. I can't help but wonder whether the Billy and Tommy from my universe will have the same powers as these two.

I decide it's time for one last visit to a variant of mine, as I can feel my powers starting to drain, and I let go of this body.

I slowly open my eyes to find myself standing in a kitchen, holding a wooden spoon in my hand. For a moment I am disoriented and confused, not sure where I am or what my variant is supposed to be doing. But as I take in my surroundings, I realize that this other me is currently in Wanda's house.

Said person stands before me, her arms wrapped around my shoulders in support to prevent me from falling. With a concerned look she asks: "Agatha, are you okay? You just blanked out for a minute there."

I shake my head, trying to clear the fog in my mind. I'm running low on magical power and I'm starting to feel the consequences.

"I'm fine, just a momentary lapse." I do my best my best to sound convincing. I know that I need to maintain my cover and can't let Wanda get suspicious. Looking down at the pot of liquid chocolate on the stove, I ask: "What are we making again?"

Wanda seems to accept my explanation and let's go of my shoulders. "We're making some treats for the boys to take to school tomorrow for the bake sale."

She takes the wooden spoon from my hand and starts to stir the chocolate herself. I rest my back against the counter, watching Wanda work her magic with the delicious mixture. Speaking of magic, I can't help but wonder why she doesn't use hers to make something for the bake sale.

"I know I can just create something with magic, but I like the ritual of baking." Wanda replies to my thoughts, and for a moment I'm frozen in place. If she can read my mind, I need to be careful about what information I allow her to see. I give her a nod and a smile, doing my best to keep playing along.

"You know, it's so nice to have a neighbor who also has magical powers." Wanda continues. "We really understand each other, even though I'll never be as strong as you."

A smile crosses my lips. Neighbors, so that's what we are. And not just neighbors, apparently she really trusts this version of me since they know about each other's powers. "It's definitely nice to have a best friend who I don't have to keep secrets from. And don't say that, you don't know how your powers may grow in the future."

Wanda laughs. "Oh don't worry, I'm not out to get more powerful. All I want is this little family. Adopting Billy and Tommy was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I have a strong an independent woman ready to help me when I need it."

"Who's that?" I ask, curiosity taking over.

"You of course!" Wanda's reply warms my heart. She continues to stir the chocolate while chatting with me and catching me up on the latest news.

The boys are in the other room watching TV, but it's not long before they come running in, yelling "Chocolate!" as they see the pot on the stove.

Before Wanda can stop them, their hands are already in the pot, getting chocolate all over their fingers. "Hey! What did I say?" Wanda scolds them, but she can't help but laugh at their enthusiasm.

"But we couldn't wait." Tommy says with the biggest puppy eyes I have ever seen before.

"But what did I say?" Their mother repeats the question with a smile, and the boys their response is to put their chocolate covered fingers into their mouth.

"Oh!" Wanda says while laughing and I can't help but laugh along. "Go wash your hands!" She softly pushes them away from the pot and the boys run out of the kitchen, laughter following them.

"Well, I guess we'll just have to start over." Wanda says, putting the pot on a cold stove.

I watch the scene unfold, feeling a strange mix of nostalgia and confusion. I may be in a different universe, but some things are universal - like the joy that comes from seeing Wanda smile.

Every passing moment gets harder to keep in control of this variants body, so with a sigh I let go of this world.

I slowly open my eyes, feeling disoriented and confused as I come back to reality. The sensation of falling quickly registers in my mind, and I brace myself for impact. With a thud, I land on the hard, cold concrete floor of my basement, jolting my body awake.

My head throbs with a dull ache, and my limbs feel heavy and sluggish. It takes a moment for me to fully grasp where I am and what has just happened. It seems that the dreamwalking session is over.

As I sit there, trying to gather my thoughts and regain my bearings, I notice that the Darkhold book has closed shut and all the candles have gone out.

The air in the room feels heavy, as if a heavy weight has lifted. The silence is almost palpable, and the only sound is my own labored breathing. I take a moment to steady my breath and look around the room, taking in my surroundings.

My eyes land on Señor Scratchy, who has come towards me and now sits on my lap. He seems to sense my exhaustion and offers me some of his power, his warm, furry body providing comfort and support. I feel a small surge of energy rush through my body, and it gives me the necessary strength to transport myself into my bed.

As I finally collapse onto my mattress, I am overcome by a sense of relief and exhaustion. The dreamwalking session has taken a heavy toll on my body and mind, and I can feel every fiber of my being screaming for rest.

Exhausted from the experience, I fall into a deep sleep, my dreams filled with the memories of the different universes I've visited. The colors and sounds swirl around me, blending into a kaleidoscope of emotions and sensations.

Despite the physical and emotional toll it has taken on me, I know that it was necessary for me if I'm going to discover who and what Wanda Maximoff is.

A year has passed since I wrote my note

But I should have known straight from the start

Only hope can keep me together

Love can mend your life

But love can break your heart