Chapter 56: The Final Strike Pt. 1
If you're wondering why Wanda is not using her main weapon, she does not take these Project X soldiers seriously, that's why.
The faint echoes of hammering and scraping filled the tunnels as the Morlocks worked to fortify their hideout. Wanda stood at the center of the activity, her arms crossed, her sharp eyes following the movement of the mutants who hurried to reinforce their defenses. Every now and then, she raised a hand, her crimson magic aiding the efforts by securing beams or shifting heavy debris into place.
Natasha leaned casually against the wall, watching the flurry of activity with a smirk. "You're getting the hang of this whole 'inspiring leader' thing."
Wanda turned her head slightly, her lips curving into a faint smile. "I had a good teacher."
Natasha raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Who would that be?"
"You, obviously," Wanda replied, her voice dry but teasing.
Natasha laughed softly, shaking her head. "Careful, Maximoff. You keep buttering me up, and I might start thinking you actually like having me around."
"I thought you already knew," Wanda said, her tone light but sincere.
Natasha's smirk softened, her gaze lingering on Wanda for a moment before she pushed off the wall. "Alright, enough flirting. What's next on the agenda, fearless leader?"
Before Wanda could answer, Callisto approached, her spear resting against her shoulder. "We've done what we can to secure the tunnels. If they come back, we'll be ready."
"We need more than defenses," Wanda said. "We need to strike first."
Callisto narrowed her eyes. "You want to take the fight to them?"
"We don't have a choice," Wanda replied. "They're regrouping. If we wait too long, they'll bring reinforcements, and we'll be outnumbered again."
Callisto glanced at the Morlocks bustling around them, her jaw tightening. "My people aren't soldiers."
"They don't have to be," Wanda said firmly. "I'll lead the attack. You just need to trust me."
Callisto's gaze was hard, but there was a flicker of something else beneath it—respect, perhaps, or hope. "Fine. But if this goes south, it's on you."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Wanda said.
The group gathered in a secluded chamber to finalize their plan. Wanda spread out a crude map of the tunnels, marking key points where the Project X soldiers were likely to advance. Natasha leaned over the map, her fingers tracing potential ambush routes.
"We hit them here first," Natasha said, pointing to a narrow corridor. "It's tight enough to funnel them in one at a time. Callisto's people can hold the line while we flank them from behind."
Marrow frowned. "You really think we can pull that off?"
"With the right timing, yes," Natasha replied. "Wanda and I will handle the heavy lifting. You just need to keep them occupied long enough for us to take them out."
Feral grinned, baring her sharp teeth. "I like the sound of that."
Wanda glanced at Callisto. "What do you think?"
Callisto hesitated, her gaze sweeping over the map before she nodded. "It's risky, but it's the best shot we've got."
"Then let's move," Wanda said.
The ambush was set, the Morlocks taking their positions in the narrow corridor while Wanda and Natasha hid in the shadows further back. The tension was thick in the air as they waited, every sound magnified in the silence.
Natasha leaned close to Wanda, her voice barely above a whisper. "You nervous?"
Wanda smirked. "Not even a little."
"Liar," Natasha said, her grin faint but teasing.
Before Wanda could respond, the sound of boots echoed through the tunnel. The Project X soldiers moved with precision, their flashlights cutting through the darkness.
"Wait for it," Wanda murmured, her magic sparking faintly in her hands.
The first trap triggered as the soldiers entered the corridor, an explosion of debris and smoke that sent several of them sprawling. The Morlocks sprang into action, Marrow's bone spikes and Feral's claws cutting through the chaos and into Project X soldiers like a hot knife through butter.
Wanda and Natasha struck from the rear, Wanda's chaos magic sending soldiers flying while Natasha's pistols found their marks with deadly accuracy.
"Keep them moving!" Wanda shouted, her magic creating barriers to block their retreat.
The fight was brutal, the confined space amplifying every sound and impact. Wanda's magic surged, disarming soldiers and turning their weapons into twisted scrap. Natasha moved like a shadow, her strikes precise and lethal.
Callisto led the Morlocks with ferocity, her spear slicing through armor as she shouted orders to her people. Despite their inexperience, the mutants held their ground, their determination outweighing their fear.
One by one, the soldiers fell until only a handful remained. Wanda raised her hands, her magic swirling around her like a storm. "Surrender," she said coldly.
The remaining soldiers hesitated, their weapons shaking in their hands. One of them dropped his rifle and raised his hands. "We give up!"
Wanda stepped forward, her magic still crackling around her. "Good choice."
The captured soldiers were dragged back to the Morlocks' hideout, their hands bound, and their heads lowered. Wanda and Natasha stood over them, their expressions unreadable.
"You're going to tell us everything," Wanda said, her voice cold.
One of the soldiers glared at her. "You think we're afraid of you?"
"You should be," Natasha said, her tone sharp.
Wanda extended her hand, a tendril of chaos magic snaking toward the soldier's temple. He flinched as it connected, his body tensing as Wanda delved into his mind.
Images flooded her senses—maps, coordinates, and a hidden base where Project X was planning their next move. Wanda sifted through the memories with ruthless efficiency, pulling out every detail she needed.
When she released the soldier, he slumped to the ground, gasping for air. Wanda turned to Natasha, her expression grim. "They're planning something big. We need to move fast before they come for us."
Natasha nodded. "Then let's not waste time."
As everyone regrouped to plan their next move, Callisto approached Wanda, her expression conflicted. "You were right," she admitted. "About taking the fight to them. We wouldn't have made it this far without you."
Wanda met her gaze, her voice steady. "This isn't just about me. It's about all of us working together. That's the only way we win."
Callisto nodded slowly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You're not so bad, Maximoff. Maybe Sokovia won't be, either."
Wanda smiled faintly. "That's the idea."
Fracture's voice hummed in her mind. **"You're proving yourself, Wanda. Step by step, you're building something real. Don't stop now."**
As the group prepared for the next stage of their fight, Wanda felt a renewed sense of purpose. Sokovia was waiting, and she was determined to make it a place where everyone could belong not just for mutants but for herself.
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