Chapter 53: Traps And Tensions
The air in the tunnels was heavy, the silence only broken by the faint echoes of shuffling feet and whispered orders. Wanda stood near the center of the ambush site, her crimson magic crackling faintly in her palms. The tension was palpable as Callisto's Morlocks took up their positions, hiding in the shadows. Nearby, Natasha Romanoff finished rigging an improvised explosive, her movements precise and confident.
"Is this going to work?" Callisto asked, her voice low but laced with skepticism.
"It'll work," Natasha replied, her tone matter-of-fact. "Your people just need to stick to the plan—hit fast, fall back, and let us handle the heavy lifting."
Callisto scoffed. "Easy for you to say. My people aren't trained killers like you."
"That's why we're here," Wanda interjected, her eyes never leaving the decoy mutants positioned in the open. "They don't have to fight like us. They just need to draw the soldiers in and retreat to safety. We'll handle the rest."
The decoys—two of the Morlocks who had volunteered—stood in the center of the ambush zone, their nervous glances betraying their unease. They looked like perfect targets, their mutant traits on full display: one had glowing, crystalline skin, while the other's arms extended into whip-like tendrils.
"You're sure they'll be safe?" Callisto pressed, her sharp gaze fixed on Wanda.
"They will," Wanda assured her. "I'll keep a barrier ready to pull them out if things get too dangerous."
Fracture's voice hummed in Wanda's mind, its tone calm but firm. **"This is a good plan, Maximoff, but don't underestimate the Morlocks' fear. They've lived in shadows too long to trust easily. Prove your strength, and they'll follow you."**
Wanda nodded slightly, more to herself than to Fracture. "It's time," she said aloud, her voice steady.
The faint sound of boots echoed through the tunnels. Wanda's sharp ears picked up the low murmurs of soldiers coordinating over comms.
"Positions," Natasha whispered, fading into the shadows with practiced ease. The Morlocks tensed, their eyes flickering toward their leader, who gave them a curt nod.
The Project X soldiers moved into view, their black armor glinting under the dim light. They approached the decoy mutants with the precision of hunters, their weapons raised and ready. Wanda's magic flared softly as she prepared to spring the trap.
"Now," she whispered.
The decoys darted into the shadows, drawing the soldiers into the kill zone. Explosions ripped through the tunnel as Natasha's charges detonated, scattering debris and disorienting the operatives. Wanda stepped forward, unleashing a wave of chaos magic that sent several soldiers crashing into the walls.
"Keep them moving!" she called to the Morlocks. "Don't let them regroup!"
Marrow led the charge, her bone spikes flying through the air like deadly projectiles. Feral followed close behind, her claws flashing as she darted between the disoriented soldiers, slashing at exposed joints.
Natasha moved with lethal efficiency, picking off soldiers with precise shots and disabling their weapons with quick strikes inflicting deadly injuries with her pistols as she did so. She paused near Wanda, her voice sharp but teasing. "You're going to have to step it up, Maximoff. These guys are still standing."
Wanda smirked, raising her hands. "Watch and learn."
A surge of crimson energy rippled through the air, disarming the remaining soldiers and sending them flying into the nearby walls. The sounds of their necks and spines breaking on impact could be heard afterward. The Morlocks followed up with hit-and-run tactics, using the tunnels to their advantage.
Despite their success, the fight wasn't without casualties. A secondary team of Project X soldiers emerged from a hidden tunnel, their focus on capturing mutants. Before Wanda or Natasha could intercept them, they managed to restrain several Morlocks with energy dampeners and retreated into the darkness.
"No!" Callisto roared, charging after them.
"Wait!" Wanda called, grabbing her arm. "We'll get them back."
Callisto spun on her, her face contorted with rage. "This was your plan! You brought them here, and now my people are gone!"
Wanda's jaw tightened. "And we just wiped out most of their forces. Don't act like this was a failure."
"My people are still missing," Callisto snapped, her voice venomous. "And I trusted you to protect them."
Wanda took a deep breath, her voice calm but firm. "And I will. We're not done yet."
Natasha stepped forward, dragging a captured Project X soldier by the collar. His armor was battered, and his face was pale, but his eyes still held defiance.
"We have what we need," Natasha said. "Let's start getting answers."
Wanda knelt before the soldier, her crimson eyes glowing faintly. "You're going to tell us everything," she said, her voice cold.
"You think I'm afraid of you?" the soldier spat.
"You will be," Wanda replied. She extended her hand, and a tendril of chaos magic snaked toward the soldier's temple. The moment it connected, his body tensed, and his mind opened to her.
Images flooded Wanda's senses—maps, coordinates, and the faces of Project X's leaders. She sifted through the memories with ruthless efficiency, focusing on the location of the captured Morlocks.
"They've taken them to a facility on the outskirts of the city," Wanda said, releasing her hold on the soldier. He slumped to the ground, unconscious.
Natasha raised an eyebrow. "That's one way to interrogate someone."
Wanda ignored her, turning to Callisto. "We know where they are. Now we can bring them back."
Callisto's glare didn't waver. "You'd better be right about this. If any of my people die—"
"They won't," Wanda interrupted. "I'm going to end this, Callisto. But I need you to trust me."
Callisto hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But we're doing this my way. My people lead the charge."
"We'll work together," Wanda agreed.
As the Morlocks regrouped and prepared for the rescue mission, Natasha leaned against a wall, her eyes fixed on Wanda.
"You've got a way of rallying people," she said, her tone half-teasing, half-admiring.
Wanda glanced at her. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means," Natasha said with a small smirk, "you've got a knack for making people believe in you—even when they don't want to."
Fracture's voice chimed in Wanda's mind, its tone amused. **"She's not wrong. Your ability to inspire loyalty is growing. It's a useful trait for a leader."**
Wanda exhaled softly, her focus returning to the task ahead. "Let's take out the trash!"
The sound of boots echoed in the distance as Project X forces regrouped at their hidden base, unaware of the storm about to descend upon them.
Join my patreon today to read up to chapter 112 in advance your support is my inspiration join for only 3 to 5$
Patreon.com/everstone