#is to kill. so given shes only alive thanks to their tech if she cant do her mission then theyll prob try to shut it off and dispose of her

[jabbagabba]

La La Land

Read Prologue

Warning ⚠️

Triggering subjects: disassociation, manipulation, mind control, grief. (READ AT OWN RISK)

Wandavision: spoilers (up to episode 6 - just to be safe), violence

———

Pools Of Despair

You weren’t sure how long it’d been, the drive feeling as though it had taken a lifetime. It might have been just down the road and you wouldn’t have been able to tell; time seemed to move torturously slow under Wanda’s control.

She tried to keep herself calm besides your frozen body, already thinking of a way out as she turned the steering wheel. But it was too late to go back.

‘No other way. No other way.’ The words replayed over and over in her head as she finally made it to the front of the building, and it was the first time she fully looked at you. Your face was stoic, the only sign of life being the soft breaths escaping your mouth. You couldn’t look at her - even if you wanted to - and as she reached a hand to your face, the feeling of complete numbness returned.

During the drive there had been small moments of clarity; moments where for the first time you felt in control. It was almost euphoric being able to push through the fog.

But then, as quickly as it had subsided, she would crawl her way back in.

Even now as she turned you toward her fully, you tried to swim through the heaviness, but the black swirls of grief and anguish just got tighter the harder you fought.

Wanda sighed in annoyance. “You can’t go in looking like that.” She pulled at a strand of her hair with a small huff. “Need glasses.”

You were sure if you had control of your body, the pain of your neck would be unbearable, the awkward angle surely making every muscle strain as you were forced to watch her pull apart the car.

This had to have been owned by the only man on the planet that didn’t carry sunglasses in their car. Wanda almost laughed, a punishment for stealing it? She couldn’t be sure.

“Well...” Wanda pulled the blue and white baseball cap by the brim from under her seat. “Better then nothing.” She gave a small smile as she adjusted it on your head, pulling back and grabbing your hand and letting it rest in her lap. “If there was any other way, I swear, I would let you go. But... I just... I can’t live without him.”

You said nothing as she cried.

———

“Head down, get Vision. Leave.” Her voice plagued your every step, each word carved into your brain as you finally reached the front desk.

‘Sword’ was a nice place - or at least had nice flooring - and from the bright light that filled each and every inch of the glossy tile, you knew there had to be a lot of glass. It was a government building after all.

“Can I help you?” Her voice is chirpy, a polite smile painted on her lips, you don’t need to see her eyes to know it wasn’t anything but genuine. She lets the wheels of her chair carry her forward, her computer forgotten besides her as you near the desk.

“Do you have... a meeting?” She smiles again, more forced and you’re able to see the golden pin on her chest that proudly says ‘Mary’ and try once more to float above the darkness.

“I -“ The word leaves your lips aprubtly and the fight drains from you just as fast. “I’m here to inquire about some of my father’s equipment. I’d like it back.” You let the darkness swallow you whole.

“And who are you again?” Mary is quick to pull her deskphone to her ear, hand hovering over the numbers.

———

The name that fell from her lips made Mary freeze. She looked up with wide eyes, both fearful and exited.

Starks were top priority at ‘SWORD’ - she was sure they were top priority everywhere - and as she desperately tried to recall if her boss mentioned anything about Stark equipment, the girl’s patients quickly wore thin.

“Can you please just tell me where to go? I have a long drive ahead of me.” Her voice was a sharp contrast from her apparance. The girl’s voice was stern and loud while her body was scrunched in on itself, eyes glued to the desk. Mary took a glance over the desk and saw the dark fabric of a dress, the hat didn’t even match the girl’s shoes.

“Right.” Mary said. “I’m sorry, just a little... starstruck.” She tried to keep her cool, turning again in her chair and started typing as fast as possible on her little keyboard. The atmosphere was thick with uncomfortable silence and Mary had to make sure not to shiver in the girl’s presence. She scrolled down the list of names and let out a small “ah” when she found your name. Just as quickly as she clicked on it, a pop up window filled the screen

STARK - Access Denined. Call Security

She felt sick; her nerves making her skin pucker as she tried to keep calm. When Mary finally found the courage to move, bile reached through her throat as she saw red eyes looking back.

“Ahh!” Mary was quick to jump out of her chair.

“Fine.” The girl sighed, hand flat on the counter as she took long strides around it. “If you won’t help me.” A red trail flowed through one of the doors; slithering like a snake as it wrapped around the shell shocked receptionist. “I’ll do it myself.”

———

Wanda’s mind had warped, grief and anger become one as she ripped through each and every room of the building. No one was safe from the witch’s wrath as she swung them through various glass panels and equipment. By the third turn she took, guards had given up, opting to instead try desperately to get out of her way.

She had left you at the desk, too transfixed to care and as she heard the various shouts of alarm from down the hallway, she was glad you weren’t in her way.

———

The group of four man were shocked; watching as the two guards dropped their guns and put their hands up for mercy.

“We’ll give you what you want. Please!” One of them - Felix - cried as the woman barreled through the double doors.

Wanda simply flicked her hand and he was sent flying to a wall, his partner following.

“Where is he?” Her accent was thick and the youngest tech almost asked her to repeat herself. “Where is Vision?” The stunned silence only fueled her anger. “You.” Red swirled under one of the men’s feet and lifted him from the ground. “Where?”

If the man could have, he’d be shivering in fear right about now. His life was in the hands of a deranged woman who with a simple flick of her wrist could send him plummeting down ten floors.

Wanda tightened her hold on him in warning and he knew he had to speak.

“Behind us.” He said. “There is a set of double doors, turn left and there’s an examination room.”

“He should be there!” A colleague on his left was shaking as she turn to face him. “He’s not lying.” Wanda let her power swim under him once more beofre gently letting him go.

“Thank you.” She gave a small smile. “Now, go.”

They didn’t have to be told twice.

———

Wanda felt as though she couldn’t breathe, the sight of her dead lover on the table was crippling. Vision was a dark grey; his eyes blank as they stared into her. If it wasn’t for the table itself she would have probably collapsed on to the floor as sobs took over her.

“I cant. I can’t. I -“ The words fell from her lips like a mystical chant. She couldn’t look at him anymore, his body was nothing but an empty shell of parts.

When her body turned to ash; Wanda was ready to die, her last shred of humanity died with Vision. The battlefield would be her final resting place. She chose to spend her last moments hoping that If there was a God that they’d be merciful, that she’d be allowed to spent her afterlife in blissful ignorance.

But instead she woke up.

Five years had passed and she was still there, only now she was alone. It was only after the death of Tony Stark that she let the floodgate of loss fill up her veins. While Thanos was alive, she had a mission; kill him and reverse the snap.

Wanda never imagined the pain that followed. She should have died that day, why couldn’t she have died that day?

Grief had a knack for turning the strongest people into helpless pools of despair.

Vision deserved better. That was what go her up, got her to calm her tears and push herself up. She wasn’t going to let them win. Vision was hers to mourn, to love, and hers to take care of.

She had a new mission, one that was stronger then her need to submit to pain.

But... she needed help carrying him.

———

Your body moved through the halls, following the tethered rope of energy that wrapped around your waist. If it wasn’t for your boots, your feet would have been covered in cuts from the sharp edges of the broken glass that filled the hallways.

The fog had cleared more then before and if you tried hard enough, you might’ve even been able to pull free completely. Wanda was exhausted and the fight had been ripped from you So you let her pull you, let the fog seep through every inch of you.

And as you entered the small room, you forgot you were suppose to care anymore.

“I need you to hold onto his legs.” She said softly, hand stroking his cheek. “Easier to carry both of you.” Your body moved again and you placed a gentle hand onto vision’s ankle.

Wanda wiped the last of her tears away, grabbed onto his arm, and all three of you were lifted off the ground.

———

Hot air blew through Wanda’s hair making her hands continuously push back strands from her face as she walked. The afternoon sun was unrelenting and she had to take several short breaks.

The car was too dangerous to return to - a swarm of agents was not something she wanted to deal with - and controlling someone for almost 24 hour straight took a lot out of her. Her hold on you was weak enough for you to sometimes fully take over, her control turning into a dull ache at the back of your brain.

As she walked in front of you thoughts of running flooded through your brain but the walking had tired your body out, and you were sure that if her little pushes weren’t there, you’d have already collapsed. Even if you had the strength to do it, the empty roads had long ago turned into tall trees and bush. You were in the middle of nowhere and getting loss in the woods with a heartbroken witch was not something you wanted to deal with. So, like a trained puppy, you followed silently behind Vision’s dragging body. It wasn’t hard to keep up, she was as slow as she could be while Vision’s body left a dirt trail.

“Break.” Wanda breathed. Who knew an empty little spot of grass would be so inviting? “Sit.” You felt a small push and follow it down to the ground. You let your fingers grip the direr under them, the cool breeze making you sigh.

“Where-“ The sound of your voice startled both of you but she stayed still. “Where are we going?”

She said nothing, choosing to instead turn on her knees and pull Vision forward by the arms.

“When I was little-“ Wanda smiled to herself as she stared down at Vision. “- I use to dream about this field. Me and Peitro went past it everyday during the summer. It had all these small flowers growing.” You listen intently as she giggles, eyes losing focus as she is hit with the memory. “I always tried to sneak past the fence... but, I was alway stopped by someone.” Her mouth twitches and you feel the pulsing return in your neck. “It’s probably nothing but dirt now, like everything.”

“Where are we going, Wanda?” You try to keep your voice soft, afraid of ruining the small moment as you reached out for her but she was quick to stop you, hand glowing red and inches away from your face.

“Don’t.” She warns. You nod in silent apology.

“We’re not far from a road.” Wanda let’s her hand fall back to her side. “I want you go and call whoever you need to.” You’re almost startled when her control leaves fully from your body, it almost feels empty. “Tell them what I did, or don’t, I don’t care. I have what I want.”

“Wanda -“

“Please.” The crack in her voice makes tears pool in your eyes. “Just go.”

You stand on shaking legs. The world was spinning and you felt as though you had just gotten off a rollercoaster but you tried to steady yourself. Unsure of where to go, you turn to her once more for guidance and she simply points behind you.

Your conscious wouldn’t let you leave. Wanda was tired and you were afraid of leaving her alone. Regardless of what she did; you knew you couldn’t blame her, she had lost everyone.

In a way, so did you.

“I’m sorry about Vision.” Wanda looked up again and gave you a small nod. “About Pietro, about everyone. I wish it was different.”

“Me too, Stark.” She let her fingers wrap around your hand and squeezed. The warmth from the dock returned and you couldn’t help but give her a small grin of gratitude. “I meant what I said at the funeral.”

Both of you were so wrapped up in your own little bubble, you didn’t even question why the birds stopped.

————

Tag list (open, just ask)

@white-wolf-buckaroo @y-napotat

All my stuff is open, and I’m always happy to hear from people so feel free to let me know what ya thought. I always get stuck halfway through writing but I hope it wasn’t too hard to read.

Next chapter will be fun.

[nemossubmarine]

Warhammer 40k: Wrath & Glory #41

The party says goodbye to the people on Jonah’s World, mostly the Knights. Larry takes a moment to catch his sister, who is cleaning up the bodies from the square. He says he noticed a rune on her belt that looked a lot like one he has, so he’s going to give his to her, as he supposes she would know what to do with it better than he would. She thanks him for, her voice completely obscured by the mask on her face.

They get onto the Wolves’ ship, Thunderfist’s Howl. When they exit the hangar, there’s a woman there, who hands out messages to Vivek and Larry. Larry goes aside to read the message, which is from his mom and basically boils down to that she wants to see him and that she loves him.

Izarak catches up to Larry, and asks if they may speak. Izarak says he knows that there isn’t going to be a good chance he’ll be taken back into the Ecclersiarchy, in fact the only reason he hadn’t been thrown out already is that his supervisors don’t know where he is. Izarak wants to know if he may be able to join Larry’s crew after all of this is done. He says that the party has started to feel more like friends than anyone back at his work. Besides, he is obviously at odds with some Imperial ideals that are taken as given. Larry tends to agree, and tends to be the same. Larry mentions having been a pilot in the Imperial navy, but he left, when he was ordered to virus bomb a planet. Not that it probably stopped the virus bombing… Izarak says it was still something, better to do something or refuse to do something, even if they may be unable to stop things from happening. Izarak mentions how he was stuffed into becoming a little village priest, when he reported another priest from taking bribes.

Larry says he’ll gladly take Izarak on board, if they can figure out what he can do (Larry jokes about putting Izarak to clean the toilets). He mentions that Izarak was helpful in calming the crew when they were traveling through the Warp; this would be useful in the future too. Izarak says he’ll think about

After that Izarak goes to eat and take a nap and goes to pray in the ship’s chapel.

The Wolves (that is Fafnik, Skarde and Uffe) grab a hold of Chazaqiel and start heading off. Coco runs after them and asks if Uffe has a moment to spare. Uffe sends Fafnik and Skarde ahead. Coco asks if Uffe is a high-ranking Wolf, and Uffe says somewhat (the real answer is yes, very). Coco asks if Uffe could write some sort of an affidavit, testifying that there are eldar on Dysmonia. She wishes to inform her family about that, and perhaps it could help to prove that Jim was killed by eldar. Uffe notes that there isn’t much of a name recognition. Coco asks if people respect Space Wolves, and Uffe shrugs and says Coco would know her family on that front better. But Uffe agrees to write such a thing, after he has checked what is going on with Dysmonia. Coco thanks him.

After that Coco finds the navigation station and asks if she can join to see how they work. The navigating officers, who have no idea who Coco is and what she’s doing there, ask her not to touch anything. Unfortunately the officers talk in their native Fenrisian, so Coco doesn’t get much out of their conversation.

Larry goes to find Vivek, who’s reading his own message in the corner. Larry asks what’s the letter, and Vivek says it’s from Mars; new orders and a promotion. Larry mentions getting a letter from his mom. Vivek says he’s glad to hear she’s alive. Larry says he has something to ask of Vivek, and Vivek comments about him not coming here to just flirt then. Larry says not to worry, he told Coco he wanted to “talk” with Vivek. Anyway, Larry asks if Vivek could introduce him to the captain of the ship, as he’s interested to see how a voidship this size works. Vivek says sure.

He takes him to the bridge and introduces him to the Captain of the ship, an older gentleman named Fjolt Freidasson. Turns out the captainhood of a ship like this is pretty much in the family. Fjolt has a daughter, who will become a Captain after him. Fjolt explains to Larry how the bridge works. Apparently Larry charms the Captain sufficiently enough, that he asks him to come drinking with him, which they do. Fjolt shows Larry a picture of his wife, whom he loves very much, and some pictures of cool ships with Wolf-decals on the side. When they arrive to Baal, Larry goes with Fjolt to check them getting out of Warp.

The party meets up at the ship that’ll take them down to Baal. Vivek is already there. He asks the party not refer to him as Vivek down on the planet, as he’ll be there as a Martian representative. They ask what to call him. He has a name Martians refers to him as, but it is a mouthful (apparently easier to say in Cant Mechanicus), so he asks them to call him Marshal. Apparently a new title, which arrived with the message from Mars. Vivek doubts it will stick, as he only got the promotion, because his tech-priest died on Dimmamar, and Mars needs someone to be high-ranking to toss their weight around. Coco congratulates him on the promotion nonetheless. Larry acknowledges Vivek’s loss, and Vivek shrugs, saying she was a good tech-priest, but losses happen.

Eventually the Wolves join them, Skarde and Uffe carrying a metal casket that turns out to hold Chazaqiel’s remains. Uffe hands over to Coco an affidavit, and Coco thanks him. Uffe lets the party know that he won’t tell the Blood Angels about the party’s dealings with Chazaqiel. They can decide themselves what they’d tell the Blood Angels. The party is obviously worried about it, as they don’t know how, well, bloodthirsty the Blood Angels will be. Uffe explains that he has met with Lord Commander Dante, and he believes that he would not be unfair, though he can not say which one of the Blood Angels they’d be meeting. He recommends they play up the aspect of themselves as victims of Chazaqiel’s influence.

They get to Baal, which is a desolate and ruined place. They are greeted by a woman who takes them towards the monastery-fortress. There is a mournful song echoing around the halls of the monastery. Skarde wonders if they could ever sing something happier, and Uffe comments that there isn’t much to be happy about. Skarde says it reminds him of someone he knows, and asks when he will be hearing Uffe’s aria.

The Angels wish to see the Wolves first, so the rest are taken to a side room to wait, where they are offered some food and drink. Eventually Vivek is taken to meet the Blood Angels, and after that, finally the party. They are taken to a small room, where there is a table, on which Chazaqiel’s remains are laid out. Around the table are the three Wolves and three Blood Angels, one in the blood red armor, one in the librarian colors of blue. The final man is clad completely in gold, adorned with a sorrowful golden mask. A trick of the light makes the mask appear to be angry. This is Dante, the Lord Commander of Imperium Nihilus. The party bows down towards him.

Dante asks the party to speak of what they know about Chazaqiel. The party keeps it vague at first, admitting that they’re somewhat afraid of this situation, being merely bystanders. Eventually they want to bring up the Countess in the situation, hoping to get aid from the Blood Angels in dealing with her. They kind of lie a bit to Dante, and at some point get caught, by claiming to have overheard Chazaqiel talking about the Countess with someone regarding the mushrooms she uses to control the people. Dante encourages them to be truthful, and makes a point that he has been tasked by Lord Commander Guilliman to look after the people of Imperium Nihilus, and that he has sworn to do. That includes the party. The Wolves had also vouched for them, which helps.

Larry comes out with having had the mushrooms put into him and then later removed, and that those mushrooms are now in the hands of an Ordo Xenos Inquisitor by the name of Ace Valerius. He’s alright now, but obviously it’s not something he just wants to put out there. Dante asks how these mushrooms came to be inside Larry, which leads to Izarak explaining about the eldar presence on his home planet (with making it clear there are no eldars on the planet anymore, and pleading that the long-suffered people of Treshan should be left in peace) and came in contact with the Countess. Izarak also mentions them having found a Blood Angel, Michael, who had been caught and kept by the Countess for at least a century. He mentions that Michael doesn’t remember anything about himself, and seems to be having other issues as well. Dante says that Astartes can fall into a kind of a coma if their life is threatened, and waking from that can cause such troubles as they describe. Dante says he can’t off the top of his head tell who Michael might be, but whoever he is, they would gladly take a brother back home.

The Blood Angels promise to send some of them to Llosie to hunt down the Countess with the Wolves. Before they can explain more, another Blood Angel enters, he speaks with Dante a bit, and then hands him something that looks to be a clay tablet with some symbols on it. Dante in turns hands it over to Uffe, who snaps off a piece, crumbles it in his hand and tosses the dust over the table. It has a strange effect. Opposite side of the table, where Vivek is standing, they can see through the dust, he appears as a much younger man; his hair black instead of grey, the lines of his face gone. It disappears quickly, and the only reaction is from Uffe, who mutters only the word “Time”, and then says to Dante that he’ll look into it.