Chapter 20 Wanda: Lorien is a good man! Internet exposure! [Extra Chapter]
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After the confrontation ended , Wanda approached Lorien with a smile, feigning a touch of regret. "Lorien, our Ferris wheel plan is ruined..."
Lorien noticed the glimmer in Wanda's eyes, filled with anticipation and warmth. He could sense the underlying message in her words, understanding the emotions she was conveying.
He spread his hands in a reassuring gesture, "It's okay, Wanda. We have all the time in the world. If it doesn't work today, we can try tomorrow. And if not tomorrow, then next week. Just come to me when you're ready."
His words carried an implicit invitation for her to initiate future meetings, a subtle but clear acknowledgment of her feelings. Wanda's eyes sparkled at his response. She knew she had the green light to seek him out whenever she wished.
Wanda blinked and playfully teased him, "Then it's a deal~! I have to report back to Natasha now. See you soon~!"
With that, she turned and made her way back to Natasha, who was watching from a distance. Lorien stood for a moment, watching her leave, and then nodded to Natasha before heading to his car.
As Lorien ignited the engine of his Ferrari, the car roared to life, "Buzz~~~!" and he drove off into the night.
Meanwhile, Wanda and Natasha observed Lorien's departure. Natasha broke the silence, her tone thoughtful. "That gentleman seems like a good person. I heard he stood by you, supporting and encouraging you through the whole ordeal."
Wanda's bright smile slowly faded after Lorien left. She felt an internal shift she couldn't quite explain, and her voice turned more subdued as she replied, "He's a good man, Sigma."
Natasha raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Wanda's choice of words. "Sigma?" she echoed, unfamiliar with the term's nuance. Despite her extensive knowledge, even Natasha was stumped.
Once they returned to the Avengers base, Natasha's curiosity got the better of her. She discreetly looked up the term on her phone. 'Sigma' referred to someone independent, disciplined, excellent, and respectful to everyone. It was originally used to describe lone wolves or introverts but had evolved into a symbol of outstanding character.
Natasha mulled over the description, intrigued by how Lorien had made such a strong impression on Wanda. She wondered just what kind of person Lorien was to captivate someone as powerful as the Scarlet Witch. Perhaps she should meet him herself to see what made him so special.
...
At the same time, Gwen Stacy, now in her Spider-Gwen persona, observed the scene from a nearby rooftop. Although she had swung away from the chaos, she hadn't gone far. She watched as her father, George Stacy, arrived with Agent Romanoff to handle the aftermath.
From her vantage point, Gwen saw Lorien and Wanda emerge and converse with the authorities. She watched as Lorien departed first, followed by Wanda and Natasha. Her father, after organizing the officers to manage the situation, eventually left as well.
Determined to keep her secret identity intact, Gwen quickly swung back to her apartment, slipping inside through her bedroom window. She swiftly changed out of her costume and tucked herself under the covers just in time.
A few moments later, there was a knock at her door. "Gwen?" her father's voice called softly. "Just a reminder not to forget your band performance tomorrow."
Feigning sleepiness, Gwen mumbled, "Got it, Dad." She waited until she heard his footsteps fade away before sitting up. She immediately turned to her computer to catch up on the news regarding the mutant rat incident.
Headlines popped up across the screen:
- "Scarlet Witch Saves the Day! Uses Powerful Magic to Crush Mutant Rats!
- "Who is She? Meet Spider-Ms. – The New Superheroine of New York!"
- "Scarlet Witch in Love? Spotted Hugging a Handsome Stranger After the Battle!"
- "Scarlet Witch: A Hero Despite the Past! Should We Forgive Her Accidental Destruction?"
- "Wake Up! Is This Just a Staged Performance by Scarlet Witch?
Gwen gasped in surprise as she read the articles. She hadn't anticipated that their encounter with the mutant rats would have such a significant impact, especially on Wanda's public image.
Could this be because of Lorien's influence? Gwen mused. He seemed to bring out a different side of Wanda, a softer, more approachable side.
She chuckled at the media's attempts to coin a name for her. "Spider-Ms.? Spider-Woman?" She wrinkled her nose. "Those don't sound right at all."
With a determined smile, she declared to herself, "Call me Ghost Spider!"