Marvel, start by marrying the Scarlet Witch

"You should wear a mask so people won't recognize you," Carl said with a small smile as he reminded Wanda.

Wanda nodded quickly. "You're right. Mrs. Martha would probably faint if she saw me like this."

With a flick of her wrist, a red half-face mask adorned with shimmering butterflies materialized in her hand—out of thin air. According to Wanda, it was a result of manipulating air and transfiguring it into matter.

Carl could only shrug. "I don't know how that even works, but fine."

"Alright," he added, pulling up the mission list from his system interface. "Let's start with the easiest."

One of the side quests showed a robbery in progress, and without hesitation, Carl grabbed Wanda's hand and vanished into the closet with a pop.

---

Queens – Near Midtown Elementary School

In a narrow alley behind the school, a chubby Filipino boy was cornered by two teenage thugs. One held a fruit knife, the other stood close, blocking the way.

"Come on, kid. I know your family's loaded. Hand over your lunch money. All of it," sneered the one with the knife.

"But… you said last month I wouldn't have to pay again," the boy stammered, trembling as he clutched his backpack.

The two teens burst into laughter. "You actually believed that? Man, you really are dumb. Hand it over or you'll be lucky to keep one ear!"

Terrified, the boy quickly dug into his bag and offered up the wad of crumpled bills. "Here! Just… don't hurt me."

"That's more like it," one of the teens grinned, grabbing the cash. "Dinner's on this brat tonight."

They barely had time to count the money before a firm voice interrupted:

"You're mugging a kid? Really? That's low—even for scumbags like you."

The two turned sharply, startled, only to see a woman and a man in odd attire: Wanda stood with a crimson mask partially veiling her face, her hand raised; Carl beside her in dark robes, wand holstered but gaze sharp.

"Who the hell are you supposed to be?" one thug barked, brandishing his knife. "Back off unless you want a hole in your chest."

They assumed these were just weirdos playing dress-up. A wand? A half-mask? Probably some cosplay couple. They laughed, not realizing how wrong they were.

Carl glanced at Wanda, who had instinctively stepped back when the blade was drawn. He gave her a gentle nudge. "Remember the basics—defense first, then strike."

Wanda inhaled slowly, her nerves settling as she raised both hands. A shimmering red shield—an Iron Armor Spell—appeared instantly around her, pulsing with magic.

Carl could've gone straight for an offensive spell, but for Wanda, it was different. Her strength lay in preparation and protection. Against close-range attackers, she had to stay shielded.

She steadied herself, then muttered a quick incantation.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Two red flashes shot from her fingertips and struck the attackers square in the chest.

The fruit knives clattered to the ground as their bodies stiffened, eyes wide in paralyzed fear. Both collapsed face-first like statues.

"Well done," Carl said, stepping forward with a smile. "See? Fighting doesn't have to be complicated."

Wanda, flushed with pride, lowered her shield. "I did it!" She high-fived Carl with a bright smile.

It was her first real fight. She didn't enjoy combat for its own sake, but the sense of empowerment—the idea that she could protect Carl someday—filled her with joy.

She turned to the stunned boy and knelt beside him, gently patting his head. "You're safe now. Go on, get to school."

The boy, still trembling, reclaimed his money, then looked up in awe. "Who… who are you?"

Wanda hesitated, then grinned. "I'm the Scarlet Witch, and he's the Dark Wizard. We're kind of a magical couple."

"Dark Wizard? That sounds like I'm the villain," Carl muttered with a sigh.

Wanda giggled. "Makes you sound cool."

Carl gave the boy a parting wave. "Stay safe, little man."

Pop!

They vanished again, leaving the boy staring at empty space.

He blinked, then stomped triumphantly on one of the fallen muggers. "I have to tell Peter about this! Wizards! Actual wizards!"

He raced off, planning to post about it on Facebook. "I'll be famous by middle school!"

---

Hell's Kitchen

Carl and Wanda reappeared in a dingy apartment where a far grimmer situation was unfolding.

Inside, a home invader had already injured one of the homeowners and was threatening another. Gun raised. Finger on the trigger.

Carl nodded to Wanda. She understood.

She stepped forward, shield already shimmering to life. Bullets hit the shield and dropped harmlessly to the ground with dull clinks.

The intruder's eyes widened—but too late.

"Stupefy!"

A bright crimson flash knocked the man off his feet, sending him crashing into the couch. Unconscious.

Wanda exhaled sharply, her hands shaking just a little.

"Another win," Carl said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.