‘I’d like to know the dangers.’

Xavier sighed. ‘Fine, Emma. If you so insist.’

- - -

“What did he say?” Scott asked when Emma refocused on the room.

“The situation is more serious than I thought it would be. But Xavier's trying to keep it quiet. It seems that Magneto’s daughter, the Scarlet Witch, has been playing some destructive games. He wouldn’t tell me, but I think she’s responsible for the disaster with the Avengers.”

“Where is she now?”

“Apparently she’s living in Philadelphia, supervised by Dr. Strange. She had been under Xavier’s care in Genosha, until Magneto forced the two to back down and let her run wild.”

“Xavier knows where she is, but Magneto doesn’t?”

“I can only assume he’ll find out soon. The news seems to be spreading like wildfire.”

“Is she still a threat?”

“Her mind is an unstable mess, and her powers are worse. As long as she’s alive, she’s a threat.”

- - -

“... mutants, I know it.”

Toad stopped short and listened. Two stories up on the roof of Wanda’s apartment, he heard the girl-next-door’s parents down on their cement slab porch. The father was speaking. “We should be able to give Brooke a better place to grow up.”

The wife hushed him. “Dear, they could be home.”

Ignoring her, he went on, “Where are we going to move from here? Another dump full of ex-cons and muties?”

Toad decided he didn’t need to hear anymore. It was always the same. Even the lowest humans thought they deserved to choose their neighbors. To keep their children safe from ‘muties.’ Toad leapt off the roof and landed several feet from them. As he expected, instant, frightened silence fell. Calmly, he stood up, walked to his front door and went inside, leaving the pair to their paranoid imaginations.

Inside, Wanda was nowhere in sight. Probably in her room. They hadn’t really spoken since that morning. He’d heard parts of the exchange between her and Dr. Strange, and after she’d kicked him out, Wanda left. Toad had straightened up inside, and when Wanda came back in, she said she was going out again for a walk. He’d worried about her, but he didn’t try to stop her. She was gone for close to an hour. He’d been sitting up on the roof when she came home, just several minutes ago.

Gingerly, he headed down the hallway. Her door stood open.

“Wanda?” he asked.

“Come in.”

He did as she bade. Wanda was sitting on the bed.

“I’m sorry for this morning, Mort. It was very unkind of me to treat you the way I did.”

Mort was astonished. No one ever apologized to the Toad. Yet here was Wanda, saying she was sorry for doing something that had been completely rational.

“It’s fine,” he said. “Don’t worry about it.”

“I think I’ve made a mistake,” she went on. “I put Stephen on the extreme defense. I shouldn’t have gotten angry at him. He was just ... he made me feel like a little girl caught in a lie.”

“Is he going to do something?”

“I don’t know. Probably.” She looked him in the face. “I’m afraid of what he can do. Not by any sorcery, but by what he can do if he speaks to my father or Xavier. I’ve made such a terrible mistake. They’ll take me back to Genosha and drug me and put me in a room with no windows.”

Wanda dropped her head, and Toad stood, stunned. They couldn’t. No, not after all this. Not now that he finally had what he’d always wanted. And to do that to Wanda. To take away her freedom after they’d already given it to her, to lock her up in her own personal asylum.

“No, don’t you worry about that.” he stepped over to her and knelt in front of her. “I won’t let anyone do that to you.”

Wanda looked down at him and smiled sadly. “They’re the two most powerful mutants on the planet, and the universe’s Sorcerer Supreme, Mort. I don’t mean this in a hurtful way, but you’re no match. I’m just getting so tired of this. I wish they’d stop trying to control me. I wish they’d just kill me and end this nightmare.”

Mort’s eyes opened to their limit. “What? No! Listen to me,” he took her wrists in his hands. “You can’t do that, Wanda. You promised me. You promised that you wouldn’t leave me.”

Wanda seemed unmoved. “Yes, I did, didn’t I? I promised Pietro, too, in a way. But I’m so tired of fighting this off.”

“Stop it, Wanda. Stop talking like this. You can ...you can reason with them. You can reason with Magneto! He might listen to you. He let you leave in the first place. What if you just apologized to Strange?”

“I don’t think it would help me. The damage is done.”

“Will you stop saying that? You had an argument, and I’m sure it’s because he was just being a dick. Just tell them what happened before you hand yourself over like a ransom. Come on. Call him right now and tell him that you’re sorry for yelling with him.” Toad let go of her arms to go pick her phone up off the dresser. Handing it to her, he said, “Go on. Help yourself.”

Wanda did as Toad asked. On the other end of the line, Sara answered the phone, and Wanda waited for Dr. Strange.

“Hello, Stephen. I’m calling to apologize. No, I know. But what I said to you was undeserved. You must be able to understand what its like, feeling like a lab rat trapped inside a clear cage. I feel like every part of my life is being broadcast on a screen. You ... oh. I see. Yes, of course I’ll be there. What time? Yes, Stephen. I’ll see you shortly.”

Wanda ended the call and looked at Mort. “He wants me to go see him. He’d like to have a meeting with Magneto, Xavier, and me.”

- - -

Xavier found Magneto standing on a balcony overlooking the ruins of Genosha.

“Eric,” he said, speaking to his back, “things are getting out of hand.”

“I didn’t realize things were ever in hand. What new catastrophe has occurred now?”

“Emma Frost found out about your communications with Polaris.”

Slowly, Magneto turned around. “And you told her, didn’t you?”

“What else could I have done?”

“That woman will bring her own justice on my daughter, Charles. If she hasn’t already.”

“It was a mistake to let her go. And we’re paying for it now. I’m afraid that’s not all. Dr. Strange wants the three of us to talk to Wanda via telepathic communication. She’ll be arriving at his house shortly. And Eric, there is something else as well.”

"Let’s have it. Whatever it is, I’m sure it couldn’t make a drop of difference in a sea of troubles.”

“Wanda isn’t living alone. The Toad has found her somehow -”

“What? Who’s found her? What’s he done to her?”

“Nothing as far as either of us can tell.”

“The obsessive , spineless creature can mean her no good, Charles. How long have you known about this? How long have you left her in danger?”

“Less than an hour. Don’t try to confront him. You know what a fragile state Wanda’s mind is in already.”

“Confront him? I plan to eliminate his useless life. The Toad has been a thorn in my side for too long. It was a mistake for me to take him in.”

“Dr. Strange tells me that he’s been living with her for a short time now. ”

“And tell me, why don’t you, what exactly ‘living with’ entails?”

Xavier didn’t answer.

“How could you let this happen to her, Charles? After everything else?”

“You know as well as I do that she’s been past the point of helping since you brought her here. This has to end, Eric. You and I can do it, or we can let someone else. Someone who might not be so kind.”

“Are you talking about killing her?”

“Can you think of a more humane solution?”

Magneto said nothing at first. “You’re convinced she cannot live on her own?”

“Without any protection, she’s being left out to the wolves. You know it.”

“And with it, she’ll spend the rest of her life locked up here. God help me, Charles. I have never done any right by her. I know you can’t handle her forever, but isn’t there some way?”

“As willing as you would be to care for her, as a mentally void child, she would be miserable. You can’t help her anymore, and neither can I.”

“Fine,” he said, brushing the air with his hand and turning away again. “Fine. Let it end.”

- - -

As they were leaving the apartment building, Wanda stopped and picked up her mail. There was one letter. She opened it.

“What’s that?” Toad asked.

Wanda read through the first lines. “An eviction notice.”

Toad froze. They were being evicted? He remembered the conversation their neighbors had earlier that day. So that’s what the stupid humans were talking about. He looked at Wanda. “How long do we have?”

“Ninety days.” She folded up the letter. “Mort, we were doing so well.”

“No, don’t worry about it. We’ll go get a better place. We’ll do even better.” She didn’t seem cheered. “Come on, you never liked this place, did you? Let’s get someplace nicer.”

“Mort,” she began, “how much money do you actually have?”

“Well, I’ve got a few thousand in American currency. And I have about ten thousand more in euros.” He began to fear that she wouldn’t want him to come to any new place. After all, she could get anything she wanted from her father.

“It’s none of my business, but ...” She waited for him to answer.

“Well, I got it legally if that’s what you’re asking. I sold a bit of technology a while back.”

“Oh.”

“So you really don’t need to worry about money.”

“I suppose not ...” Wanda put the letter in her purse and continued walking. “Did you have any place in mind?”

“No, I guess not. Maybe we could find somewhere more secluded,” he suggested, looking at the graffiti on the wall. “Away from all these people.”

“No, I don’t want to live away from other people. I’ve done that for so long.”

“Well, wherever, don’t worry about it. We’ll find somewhere.”

- - -

Sara invited them inside and offered Mort a seat while she led Wanda upstairs.

Wanda was ushered into a room with Dr. Strange and two holographic-looking forms of Xavier and Magneto. Suddenly, she felt alone without Mort. If he was there, he’d make sure no one took advantage of her confusion.

She spoke to Dr. Strange. “What happens to me will concern Mortimer too. Could he sit in on this?”

Even in his diaphanous form, Wanda could see Magneto’s shoulders stiffen.

Stephen merely said, “If you wish, Wanda,” and proceeded to re-open the door and ask Sara to send Mortimer in.

When Mort had entered and taken his place next to Wanda (avoiding Magneto’s eyes), Xavier began.

“Wanda, we’re concerned with your current living conditions. Perhaps it would be better if you lived somewhere closer to one of the three ofus.”

‘Don’t blindside her, Charles,’ Magneto said mentally. ‘You’re luring her like a pig to a butchery.’

‘Would you rather have to fight her powers? Try to be objective.’

“I will be moving soon, anyway,” Wanda said.

Xavier looked up at her. “Why will you be moving?”

“I’ve been evicted.”

“Wanda,” Magneto interrupted, “would you consider coming back to Genosha?”

“Why should I do that?”Her words were laced with ice.

Neither specter answered. It was Stephen who responded, “Professor Xavier and Magneto have both expressed their concern to me that you should return.”

“No. I will never go back there again.” She addressed Magneto. “You can’t give me my freedom only to take it back whenever you choose.” Turning to Stephen she continued, “You know exactly what will happen to me if I go back. I don’t want to live that way. It’s not living.”

“Wanda ...” Magneto started.

“I know you think I’m a loose and loaded cannon, and I know I am. But I’ve tried so hard to pull myself back together. I can control it now.”

“Only to the extent that you don’t use your mutant powers.” Dr. Strange corrected her. “You couldn’t control them if you were to use them.”

“There are plenty of others who can’t. Some of the X-Men at that. If you don’t believe I can be helped, I wish you would just kill me and get it over with. Don’t force this life on me any longer.” She could feel Mort looking at her and she remembered what he’d said earlier. In a more even tone, she said to her three judges, “If you are going to decide the rest of my life for me, I only ask that you make a decision and stay with it.” almly, Dr. Strange probed, “Tell me what you want, Wanda. If you could decide for yourself.”

Such a loaded question. She knew she shouldn’t be alive with her chaotic power. She was too cowardly to kill herself. She’d only ever wanted a happy life. A life where she and Pietro could finally be at peace. As she tried to formulate an answer, something Agnes had said came to her. ‘Like all things, we seek balance.’ Wanda’s life was entirely unbalanced. What she’d contributed did not match what she’d taken. She had a chance to balance things out, but if she went on, she might only make it worse.

“I don’t know,” she whispered. Consentaneously, the three seemed to take that as her definitive answer. But Wanda continued, “I want to see my brother again. I want to ... I want to be well. I want to be happy.”

Magneto spoke up. “If you won’t go to Genosha, would you be willing to try and find a compromise?”

“A compromise?”

‘Eric,’ Xavier said telepathically, ‘Stop. You agreed to this.’

‘But she’s right,’ he objected. ‘Look at her now, Charles, and tell me she needs to die. When was the last time you saw her so lucid? Which of us is supposed to be the humanitarian here?’

“What kind of compromise?” Wanda prodded.

‘I won’t go through with this.’ Magneto was firm. ‘Find her another place to live and we’ll continue to watch her.’

Xavier sighed. “I have several safe houses here in New York, Wanda. You could move into one of those.”

“What would be the conditions I’d have to adhere to?” Wanda asked.

“You would allow Dr. Strange and I to check in on you, and you’d adhere to a curfew.”

“A curfew?” Mort interjected, but Wanda stopped him.

“That’s all right," she said. "And what about Mortimer? He can do as he pleases?”

No one answered at first. Magneto looked at Xavier. Again, Dr. Strange answered. “As long as it’s no determent to you.”

“How long will this be for? Forever?”

“It’s undecided so far,” Xavier said. “Let’s play it by ear.”

Wanda looked to Mortimer, and then back to Xavier. “All right. Since I have no more viable solution, I’ll agree.”

- - -

In Genosha, Xavier psychically contacted Emma Frost. ‘I thought you might like to be kept abreast of the developing situation concerning Wanda Maximoff. Are you busy?’

'Filling in for a history teacher, but don’t let that stop you. What’s going on?’

‘Wanda will be living near the school in a house I’ve provided.’

‘What? How “near the school” are you talking about, Charles?’

‘Eight miles away.’

‘That’s -’

‘Before you object, one of the reasons I’m putting her there so that you and the X-Men will be nearby should anything happen.’

‘Not to mention a school full of children. Did you think I wouldn’t look into the situation? She’s a danger to everyone. You’re creating a deadly risk, and I know you know it.’

‘It is the best solution for the time being.’

‘No. The best solution would be to put her down. You’re making a mistake.’

‘Humor me, Emma.’

‘I can’t talk anymore. I have to get back to my class.’ Ms. Frost curtly stopped the conversation.

“Well?” Magneto asked Xavier, once he’d looked up.

“I think she’ll go along. But I don’t expect full co-operation or any support. She’s worried about the risk, understandably.”

“And you?”

“Of course I am as well.”

“And you’re going to give her permission to do whatever’s necessary should a problem arise.”

“I don’t need to give her permission. She’ll do what she has to.”

“Yes. I’m familiar with her style.” Magneto walked away from him. Wanda had looked so much better when he’d seen her earlier. The miserable, guilt-ridden, crying little girl had transformed back into the sharp, determined woman she’d been before. If not for the Toad, Magneto would have thought she was completely better. Toad’s new relationship with Wanda was his greatest worry right now. But Magneto had every intention of finding out exactly what the street urchin was planning.