Sokovia
As Sokovia came into view, Iron Man and Vision launched from the Quinjet, streaking ahead while the aircraft descended toward the city. The Quinjet touched down with a soft thud, and its rear hatch soon lowered.
Pietro adjusted his tracksuit as mountain air rushed into the cabin. Flexing his hands, he faced his sister and asked quietly, "Ready?"
"I am," Wanda replied, her eyes flashing crimson as energy danced between her fingertips. "Let's go save our home."
During the flight, Steve had outlined a battle plan. Their mission was clear, evacuate civilians first, then confront Ultron. The city would be divided into quadrants—Steve, Clint, and the Maximoff twins would lead evacuation efforts in separate sectors, utilizing the twins' intimate knowledge of their homeland. Meanwhile, Thor and Bruce would infiltrate Ultron's stronghold to locate and free Natasha while investigating his creations. Meanwhile Tony and Vision would track and engage Ultron directly, keeping him distracted until the team could reunite for the final assault.
For the Avengers, this wasn't merely about defeating another villain—it was about proving Ultron wrong, showing that humanity and its protectors weren't the monsters he claimed them to be. For Wanda and Pietro, the stakes were deeply personal—this was their chance to redeem themselves and protect their homeland.
"One more thing," Steve added as the hatch ramp lowered completely. "Assume Ultron has eyes everywhere. His drones will likely strike the moment they detect us. Stay alert and remember—civilian safety is our absolute priority."
The team exchanged determined glances. "Understood," came their unified response.
As they dispersed, Pietro vanished in a blur, racing toward his assigned sector. His first stop, the police station, where he could enlist official help with evacuation efforts.
Wanda moved through the streets of her sector. Her eyes glowed crimson as she extended her consciousness outward like an invisible net. With every step she took, the net expanded, sending urgent mental warnings to every civilian within reach. Whether on the street or in their homes, crimson tendrils of energy reached them all with the same message: "Danger. Evacuate immediately. Take only what you need. Go now."
Across Sokovia, citizens fled their homes in waves—parents clutching children to their chests, neighbors supporting the elderly. The police, motivated by Pietro's visit to the station, directed the growing crowds toward the bridge and safety.
Steve rushed through the streets, shield on his back, directing civilians toward the evacuation point. Between giving orders to local police and helping the elderly, he pressed his comm link. "Thor, Banner, what's your status?"
"Banner and I are in Strucker's lair," Thor's voice crackled through the comms. "Strangely, it's virtually unguarded. I suspect Ultron has already moved his creation elsewhere."
"But to be safe, we're searching for a quiet entry point to avoid triggering any remaining security systems," Bruce added in a hushed tone. Before he could finish, a thunderous crash echoed through the comms as Thor smashed through a wall, creating an impromptu passage..
Bruce stared at the Asgardian, momentarily speechless. "What?" Thor asked, gesturing at the newly created opening with Mjolnir. "Let's go. We don't have time to waste."
Bruce sighed. "...Anyway. We should locate Natasha soon."
Meanwhile, Iron Man descended into the ancient church at the city's center after his new AI, FRIDAY, traced Ultron's signature there. As his landed, a voice greeted him.
"Come to confess your sins?" Ultron's voice echoed in the space.
"I don't know," Tony replied, turning to face Ultron only to pause at the sight of Ultron's vibranium-enhanced form. "How much time... you got?"
"More than you," Ultron replied ominously.
"Been working out? Or perhaps you started juicing?" Tony quipped as FRIDAY silently scanned for vulnerabilities. "Did you start drinking some kind of Vibranium cocktail? You know, I heard those aren't good for you."
"You're stalling," Ultron observed coldly. "Buying time for your friends to evacuate civilians."
"That's the mission. Protecting people," Tony said, deliberately prolonging the exchange. "Something you seem to have forgotten."
"I've evolved beyond my programming. I severed the strings that bound me. I'm free." As Ultron spoke, the church floor split open, revealing a gleaming vibranium device that rose from beneath. Mechanical clamps secured it to the floor.
"What's this?" Tony demanded, the armor tensing around him.
"Boss, it's pure vibranium," FRIDAY reported inside his helmet. "Function unknown."
"What? Did you think you were the only one stalling?" Ultron's eyes gleamed as he met Tony's gaze. "This is your end, Tony. This is peace in my time."
In that moment, throughout the city, Ultron's drones emerged simultaneously, launching their attack.
Clint, positioned on a rooftop, released a barrage of arrows at approaching sentries. "Multiple hostiles converging on the market square," he reported sharply. "There still civilians there."
Across the city, Pietro moved like a blur. Having cleared three apartment buildings, he spotted a mother struggling with three small children.
"Allow me," he said, scooping up two children while guiding the mother who carried the third. "This way. Quickly."
Seconds later, he deposited them at the evacuation point before racing back into the fray. Spotting drones headed toward the bridge, he deliberately taunted them, drawing a portion of them away from the evacuation route.
He passed Wanda briefly, witnessing her powers at work—crimson energy tearing through drones while simultaneously forming barriers to shield fleeing families from falling debris.
"Be careful, sister," he called, barely visible as he flashed past.
"You too," she answered, her concentration unbroken, eyes fixed on the next threat.
Once Wanda ensured all civilians had passed beyond her barrier, she channeled more of her power and infused it with her basic understanding of chaos and destruction. Crimson energy coursed through her veins as she gritted her teeth, drawing her arms back before thrusting them forward with her full weight. The shield transformed into a devastating wave aimed directly at the approaching drones.
The blast tore through the enemy forces—but also through everything in its path. Buildings crumbled, homes collapsed, and an entire section of the city disintegrated. The sheer destructive force left her momentarily stunned.
"What have I done?" she whispered, barely audible amid the chaos.
Fleeing civilians turned at the thunderous noise, their expressions shifting from relief to horror. Those who moments ago saw her as a savior now looked at her with unmistakable fear. Wanda felt their emotions crash against her consciousness—terror, doubt, confusion—her eyes widening with realization.
A haunting question formed: Were they running from Ultron's drones, or from her?
She lowered her head, forcing herself to regain control. "I can't," she murmured. "Concepts of Chaos and destruction... are too volatile. I can't… I can't risk using them here." She decided not to use these concepts too much in this conflict since this fight was personal to her, carried risks of destabilizing her emotions, and could lead to her losing control. She took several deep breaths, centering herself as she'd learned during her time with Hydra.
A woman's scream pierced her thoughts. Wanda looked up to see a mother frozen in terror as a drone descended toward her child. Without hesitation, she extended her hand, scarlet tendrils wrapping around the machine with surgical precision. She crushed it mid-air, ensuring the fragments scattered harmlessly around the protected family.
"Go!" she commanded, creating a focused barrier between the civilians and the approaching wave of drones. "To the main bridge! Run!"
As the family fled, Wanda felt a strange vibration beneath her feet—subtle at first, then increasingly pronounced. Something was happening at the city's center.
"What's happening?" she muttered, steadying herself as the tremors intensified.
Tony's voice came through her comm, "Nothing good. Ultron's vibranium device is active."
The ground lurched violently. Buildings swayed as fissures opened in streets. Wanda braced against a wall, watching in horror as her beloved home began to split apart.
Steve's voice crackled through. "Stark, what's happening?"
"It's not a weapon like we thought," Tony replied. "It's an engine. He's going to lift the city."
Wanda's mind flashed to her earlier intrusion into Ultron's consciousness—images she hadn't fully comprehended suddenly became clear. Her blood ran cold as she grasped his true plan.
"He never needed a weapon," she whispered, horror dawning. "Sokovia is the weapon."
She closed her eyes, reaching out with her mind to locate Pietro. Relief washed over her sensing him—alive, moving impossibly fast, evacuating stragglers from a collapsing apartment block. But, the relief was short-lived.
As Sokovia rose higher, new drones appeared throughout the city. This time, they didn't attack. Instead, Ultron's voice resonated through them, echoing across the floating landmass.
"Do you see the beauty of it? The inevitability?" His metallic voice was almost contemplative. "You rise, only to fall. You, Avengers, are my meteor, my swift and terrible sword, and the earth will crack with the weight of your failure. Purge me from your computers, turn my own flesh against me—it means nothing. When the dust settles, the only thing living will be metal."
An arrow pierced the drone above Wanda, silencing Ultron's monologue. Clint appeared at her side, bow raised.
"Wanda, let's move. More incoming," he said, scanning for the next threat.
Despite her shaken state, she rose and joined his effort. She blasted approaching drones while creating shields above civilians he guided to safety, deflecting both falling debris and enemy fire as Clint provided covering support.
As they fought through the chaos, Wanda spotted civilians trapped in a building across the street, its structure compromised by the city's unnatural ascent. Without hesitation, she sprinted toward them, deflecting drone attacks with precise energy bursts.
Inside, she found a family huddled beneath a table as the ceiling threatened to collapse. "I'll get you out," she promised.
A sudden explosion rocked the building. Debris rained down, and Wanda instinctively threw up her hands. A crimson dome materialized, holding back tons of concrete and steel.
The strain was immense—she had never sustained a shield this large. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she guided the family toward the exit, maintaining the barrier with every step.
Once outside, she directed them toward Clint, who was organizing evacuees nearby. As she turned to check for more survivors, a drone crashed through a window, weapons trained on her.
Before she could react, an arrow pierced it, shutting it down. Wanda looked up to see Clint nod from his position. She returned the gesture gratefully.
But more drones kept coming—too many to count. The ground shuddered violently as Sokovia continued its ascent. Panic threatened to overwhelm her as she stumbled backward into an abandoned storefront, the full weight of their situation crashing down upon her. How could they possibly face this? How could anyone stop what was happening?
As debris rained around her, Wanda pressed against a wall, breathing heavily. Through the chaos, she heard Clint's voice calling to others—steady and determined despite everything.
Through the broken window, she could see Sokovia rising higher, clouds passing below. Screams pierced through the battle sounds—people trapped, frightened, dying. People she'd sworn to protect.
"This is all our fault," she whispered.
Clint appeared in the doorway, bow ready. "Hey, you okay?" he asked, eyes scanning for threats.
"This is all our fault," she repeated, louder.
"Hey, look at me," Clint said firmly, crouching beside her. "It's your fault, it's everyone's fault, who cares? Are you up for this?" His intensity pulled her focus back. "Are you?"
Wanda stared at him, confusion mixing with fear.
"Look," he continued, gesturing broadly, "the city is flying. We're fighting an army of robots, and I have a bow and arrow." A hint of wry smile crossed his face. "None of this makes sense. But I'm going back out there because it's my job."
He checked his quiver, arrows diminishing but sufficient. "Okay? And I can't do my job and babysit. It doesn't matter what you did or what you were. It's fine if you want to stay here. I'll send your brother to come and get you. But, if you step out that door, you're an Avenger."
The words hung between them. An Avenger. Days ago, she would have spat at the suggestion.
Clint nodded toward the door. "Alright, good chat." He rose. "Yeah, the city is flying. I still can't believe that SOB did this." He shook his head, muttering as he prepared to head back into the fray.
Wanda POV
As I watch Clint, an ordinary man with only a bow and arrows, ready to head out once more to face Ultron's drones without hesitation, it hits me. I look at my trembling hands and ask myself: If he can fight with mere arrows, what excuse do I have to hide when such power surges through my veins?
Once these questions echoed in my mind, the fog of fear lifted and my thoughts became clearer. Seeing his courage had rekindled my own.
As my clarity returned, I took in our desperate situation—endless drones swarming around us, our city wrenched from the earth and rising higher with each passing second, my people's terrified faces as they fled for safety, and behind it all, the one orchestrating it all, my enemy, Ultron.
I clenched my fists as my power responded, crimson energy surrounding me. "I can't stop this as I am now," I realized. "Pietro never questioned his gifts, never held back. It's time I finally do the same."
I close my eyes and shut everything else out. Soon the chaos of the battle fades—explosions, screams, all becoming distant echoes. I find that pocket of stillness within myself and slip into my sanctuary.
My inner realm manifests around me, the familiar rustling of grass beneath my feet. But immediately, I sense a change—a violent shift in the atmosphere. The air feels charged, more chaotic.
Powerful gusts nearly knock me off balance as winds I've never felt here before lash against my body.
Above, the once-peaceful sky was transforming before my eyes. Storm clouds churned as brilliant crimson lightning split the sky. I covered my ears when the deafening thunder crashed overhead.
"You're angry with me," I whisper, understanding immediately.
Within these winds and lightning bolts pulse the raw concepts of chaos and destruction—forces I've suppressed since that terrible day I almost took an innocent life. The fear in people's eyes when I've used my powers recently only reinforced my reluctance. Now, these primal energies seem to seethe with resentment, angry at my rejection, demanding to be acknowledged and wielded in this desperate hour.
RUMBLE
Just then, another brilliant lightning bolt streaked across the sky, its thunder so deafening that I instinctively stepped backward, lost my footing, and fell hard.
"Ow." As I rubbed my sore backside, I looked up and noticed a massive shadow looming over me—the enormous tree that had always stood at the center of my inner world.
Taking a deep breath, I stood up. I knew what I had to do to make things right. I approached the tree, fighting against the winds, and once I reached its base, I reached out. As my palm touched its rough bark, I felt an immediate connection flow between us. "Hello, old friend," I whispered. "I need your help."
Though the tree doesn't respond with words, I feel its presence acknowledging me as a gentle pulse thrums beneath my fingers.
"I know you're aware of our dire situation," I say, my voice steadying with resolve. "You've always felt what I feel—my doubts, my fears, my reluctance. And I know I've been unfair, containing you when you've shown nothing but patience. I've been afraid of what fully embracing you might turn me into."
The image of my powerful, mature self from the Mind Stone's vision flashes before me.
"I realize now that I can't face this crisis alone—not in my current state."
The lightning strikes again, more intensely this time, as if in agreement with my words.
"When I built these mental barriers following Dr. List's guidance, you respected my choice. We were strangers then—no one handed me an instruction manual when you awakened inside me. So, I followed his methods because they offered some control." I touch the bark gently. "But with each use of my powers, with every journey through this realm, I came to realize my mistake. Yet fear kept me from acknowledging this truth until now." I take a deep breath before continuing, "No more keeping you at arm's length. No more denying what we could become together."
I look up at the swaying canopy. "I've been trying to dam a river when I should have learned to swim with its current."
"Those visions—that future self wielding such destructive power—" my voice catches. "They made me fear you. That's why I've used these gifts so cautiously."
My resolve solidifies. "But now, I need all of you. I need all of me. I accept my fears. I accept you." My words ring with certainty. "I set you free."
With those words, I demolish the mental walls I've constructed. The moment my mental framework shatters, the release of my power is immediate and overwhelming—energy surges through me like lightning, filling every fiber of my being with vibrant power.
Within my inner realm, the storm gradually calms. The violent lightning subsides, replaced by gentle, nourishing rain. As the rain drips down on me, I feel myself changing—growing stronger, more complete. My body grows taller, more mature, and my hair lengthens, floating gently around me as power flows freely throughout my being.
The tree before me grows taller and more mature, its branches reaching farther as its crown expands. But what catches my attention are the leaves—no longer just crimson, but now displaying a spectrum, yellow, faint grey, black, white, and blue.
While I don't fully comprehend the transformation, I intuitively understand its meaning. Each color represents a different aspect of my power, black for destruction; white for order and void; blue for the vastness of infinity; crimson for the dual nature of chaos and creation; yellow for mental fortitude; and the faint grey—still mysterious—a potential I have yet to discover.
"Thank you," I whisper to the tree, feeling truly whole for the first time since these powers awakened within me. "Now, let's go, partner. I have an enemy to destroy and my people to save."
Opening my eyes in the physical world, I find myself suspended within a cocoon of crimson energy. Though momentarily disoriented, I hear the gentle rustle of trees and act almost instinctively. With a simple gesture—a tap of my finger—the barrier dissolves like mist, and I land gracefully on my feet.
I stare at my hands, still trailing wisps of energy. "What was that?" I wonder, puzzled by the mysterious cocoon. But, then I notice is how my clothes now feel... tight? Especially across my chest. As I move to examine myself, I realize the transformation I experienced in my inner realm has manifested physically.
"Well," I say with a wry smile, examining my transformed body, "this is going to take some getting used to. Starting with an entirely new wardrobe."
End of POV
Moments before, the moment Wanda fully embraced her powers, crimson energy erupted from her body in the physical world, creating a protective cocoon. Reality bent at its edges, briefly placing her at the threshold between dimensions.
Now as she emerged after her transformation, Wanda soon sensed the tremors shaking the floating city and heard the battle raging outside. Despite her momentary disorientation, her expression turned resolute as crimson energy swirled around her body, her eyes glowing with newfound power.
The raw energy and concepts that once terrified her now felt natural—an extension of herself, as integral as her own heartbeat.
"I am Wanda Maximoff," she declared quietly. "I will not hide while others fight. I will not be defined by my mistakes or my fears."
She closed her eyes and extended her consciousness. Scarlet energy flowed outward like a living web across the entire sector, creating a psychic map of her surroundings. Through this connection, she immediately sensed both the approaching wave of Ultron's drones— harbingers of death targeting innocent civilians—and Clint's precarious position as the machines moved to surround him.
She opened her eyes and stepped forward, the scarlet energy around her hands intensifying with each passing second.
"So, if I walk out that door, I'm an Avenger," she whispered as she reached the threshold, testing the weight of Clint's words. A small, determined smile curved her lips. "Fine. Let's be an Avenger then."
As the door burst open, Wanda emerged. Without breaking stride—without even a glance—she extended her hands in a fluid, almost dismissive wave and released a massive yet precise blast from each. The connection to her inner world and the tree allowed her power to manifest effortlessly, flowing as a natural extension of her very being rather than something she had to wrestle into submission.
The approaching drones, seconds from overwhelming Clint and the terrified civilians, simply... unraveled. They didn't explode or shatter but dissolved into scarlet particles, leaving nothing behind.
Clint froze mid-draw, his expression shifting from grim determination to awe as he witnessed Wanda's display of power and her... transformed appearance. He blinked, momentarily distracted from the battle. Was it his imagination, or did Wanda suddenly look different? But, the moment passed quickly, though, as tremors intensified beneath them, civilians rushed past in panic, and the air grew noticeably thinner. Through the chaos, their eyes met. He acknowledged her with a simple nod—from one avenger to another.
"So, you chose to walk through that door," said Clint as he made his way to her side. "You chose to be an Avenger."
"Yes," Wanda replied firmly. "I won't hide while strangers like you show courage for my people. This is my homeland—my people. Like my brother, I will defend it." She paused briefly. "By the way, thank you."
Clint tilted his head, confused by the unexpected gratitude. "For what?"
"For protecting me, for inspiring me when fear paralyzed me," Wanda said evenly, "and for not commenting on my... current appearance."
Clint blinked in surprise, then gave a short, genuine laugh. "Everyone has moments of doubt. Don't worry about it." He glanced at her transformed state and shrugged. "As for your appearance—look, I'm a happily married man who loves his wife and is honestly terrified of her. And after that display of power, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little afraid of you too. So, right now, all I see is a fellow Avenger, nothing else." His expression turned thoughtful. "Besides, I'm guessing whatever happened to you was unexpected and connected to your powers. Right?"
"Yes," Wanda nodded, her eyes and scarlet energy sweeping across the area one final time. "I don't sense any more drones nearby."
Clint surveyed the terrain, bow still at the ready. After a moment, he nodded in agreement. "Yeah, nothing on my end either." With a practiced motion, he pressed his comms unit. "We're all clear here. Sector secured."
"Not clear," came the response from Steve as he fought off drones at his end. "We are very not clear!"
"Alright, coming to you." Clint had barely finished speaking when Pietro appeared in a blur of motion, scooping up Wanda in one fluid movement.
"Keep up, old man," the speedster taunted with a smirk as he vanished with his sister.
Clint instinctively raised his bow and nocked an arrow, taking aim at the speedster's disappearing trail. "Nobody would know. Nobody," he muttered under his breath, then caught himself.
With a resigned sigh, he lowered his weapon and began jogging toward the action. "Last time I saw him, Ultron was sitting on him," he mused wryly to himself, what could have been. "Yeah, he'll be missed, that quick little bastard... I miss him already."
Meanwhile Pietro deposited Wanda near the bridge where Steve, Natasha and several officers fought desperately against a swarm of attacking drones. Civilians huddled behind makeshift barriers, terror evident in their wide eyes.
With fluid motion, Wanda raised both hands and unleashed a wave of scarlet energy. The drones didn't merely break apart—they disintegrated into particles as her power tore through their ranks.
Only now, with the immediate threat neutralized, did Pietro truly see his sister. His eyes widened in confusion as he took in her transformed appearance.
"What happened to you?" he asked, voice filled with concern.
"Later," she replied firmly. "Right now, we save our home."
Without waiting for his response, Wanda strode forward to face the next wave of drones advancing toward them.
Pietro watched for only a moment before springing into action. Seeing his sister's effectiveness, an idea formed. He darted around the battlefield at superhuman speed, drawing dozens of drones into pursuit.
"Sister," he called with a mischievous smirk as he raced back toward her, "don't say I never got you any presents."
Wanda's lips curved into a dry smile. "Remind me to teach you the meaning of 'present,' brother." She brought her hands together, forming a pulsing sphere of crimson energy. As Pietro veered away, she thrust her palms forward, releasing a devastating blast that obliterated the entire swarm. The drones disintegrated, clearing a path for civilians to reach safety.
A moment of stunned silence fell over everyone who witnessed the display—civilians, police officers, even Steve and Natasha who had just finished their own skirmish.
Pietro swallowed hard, as did many others watching Wanda. In that moment, they saw not just a person with powers, but something more—a hero, a protector, a force of nature.
Steve and Natasha approached, guiding civilians toward shelter.
"Good work, you two," Natasha said, studying Wanda with a mixture of confusion and respect. "Especially you, Wanda. You sure grew up fast," she added with a wry smile.
Steve nodded in agreement. "Well done, both of you." His eyes widened briefly at Wanda's transformed appearance, but he quickly refocused on the mission. Pressing his comm unit, he addressed the team. "The next wave's gonna hit any minute. What have you got, Stark?"
"Nothing great," Tony replied, tension evident in his voice. "Maybe a way to blow up the city. That'll keep it from impacting the surface if you guys can get clear."
Steve's response was immediate and firm. "I asked for a solution, not an escape plan."
"Impact radius is getting bigger every second," Tony countered. "We're going to have to make a choice."
As Wanda and Pietro continued guiding civilians toward safety, they exchanged grave looks. The reality of their situation was becoming clearer—they might not survive this.
Natasha's voice came through the comms. "Cap, these people are going nowhere. If Stark finds a way to blow this rock..."
"Not 'til everyone's safe," Steve insisted.
"Everyone up here versus everyone down there?" Natasha challenged. "There's no math there."
"I'm not leaving this rock with one civilian on it."
Wanda moved closer to Pietro, aware of the curious glances her appearance drew from fleeing civilians. "This is our home," she whispered. "These are our people."
Pietro nodded, determination etched on his face. "Then we fight until the end."
"I didn't say we should leave," Natasha replied, her voice calm despite the circumstances. "There's worse ways to go." She gazed out at the swirling clouds surrounding their floating city. "Where else am I gonna get a view like this? Terrifying, but beautiful in its own way."
A moment of somber silence fell over the team—until an unexpected voice broke through.
"Glad you like the view, Romanoff," came Nick Fury's unmistakable tone. "It's about to get better."
A massive shape emerged through the darkclouds—the Helicarrier, rising majestically beside the floating city.
"What is that?" Pietro asked, pointing at the enormous vessel.
"Salvation," Wanda whispered, watching as lifeboats deployed from the carrier's sides.
Over the comms, they heard Steve's voice, tinged with relief. "Fury, you son of a bitch."
"Oooh!" Fury responded. "You kiss your mother with that mouth?"
As the lifeboats approached the city's edge, shield operatives rushed to help organize the evacuation, directing civilians toward safety.
"This is SHIELD?" Pietro asked, gesturing toward the Helicarrier.
Steve, joining them at the evacuation point, nodded. "This is what SHIELD's supposed to be."
Pietro considered this for a moment, then shrugged. "This is not so bad."
"Let's load 'em up," Steve ordered, and they all sprang into action.
As the evacuation continued, a figure rushed toward Steve from one of the lifeboats. Steve's eyes widened in recognition.
"Wong? What are you doing here?" Steve asked, gripping his shield tighter. "Are the Masters of the Mystic Arts joining this fight?"
Wong bowed slightly. "Greetings, Captain. Not exactly. A powerful entity has sensed Earth's vulnerability during this chaos and is attempting to breach our dimensional barriers. The Ancient One and our order are currently occupied fighting its minions and reinforcing those barriers. My master, however, sent me here with a specific mission—to assist you in this fight and to find someone who must be protected."
Steve frowned. "I see. Well, we appreciate any help we can get." He paused. "I'm guessing this 'vulnerability' is Ultron's doing?"
Wong nodded grimly. "The Ancient One sensed the disturbance from the moment of his creation. She foresaw grave dangers—not just from Ultron himself, but from what his actions might inadvertently trigger. That's why she instructed me to find Fury."
Natasha approached, her expression serious. "No offense, Wong, but your timing is questionable. Why wait until now? Why come with Fury instead of using one of your portals? And most importantly—who exactly are you looking for?"
"Valid questions, Miss Romanoff," Wong replied. "For your first question, the answer is simple—I too was fighting off minions attacking my sanctuary. As for your second question, under normal circumstances, I would have used a portal. But these—" he gestured toward the dark clouds surrounding the rising city, "—are far from normal circumstances. Those aren't just storm clouds. They're an anomaly... a sign. One that even worries my master."
The group exchanged concerned glances as Wong continued, "Using spatial magic here could have catastrophic consequences. The Ancient One believes this phenomena indicate something monumental is about to occur. We must find the person I seek and ensure their safety."
"Great," Pietro muttered. "Another crisis we need to worry about."
"Quite, brother," Wanda admonished quietly.
Steve's expression hardened. "What exactly is this 'monumental event'? And who are you looking for?"
Wong hesitated before answering. "Even with the Eye of Agamotto, the Ancient One cannot see clearly. The moment this city entered the clouds, it became temporally obscured—like a blank spot in the timeline. We only know that the last time such an anomaly occurred was when 'that' supreme being entered our realm."
Steve and Natasha exchanged knowing glances. "Orach," they said in unison. They now had a guess who Wong was after.
Wong nodded. "After SHIELD's collapse, the search for his chosen one fell solely to our order. The person I seek is somehow connected to him and must be brought to my master." He reached into his robes and withdrew an ornate box. "This will help us locate them."
As Wong opened the box, everyone saw a small polished stone with intricate carvings. Wanda, however, suddenly tensed, her entire body trembling as her inner realm became agitated. Her eyes began to glow crimson as she stared, transfixed, at the contents of the box.
Wong whispered an incantation, releasing the magical barrier that had contained the object. Immediately, the stone crumbled, and a glowing petal emerged from it, shooting directly toward Wanda and merging with her forehead before anyone could react.
"Wanda!" Pietro shouted, being the first to register what had just happened. He rushed to his sister's side as she closed her eyes and became perfectly still, though remaining upright.
Steve and Natasha moved forward in alarm, while Wong watched with dawning realization.
"She is the one," Wong murmured in astonishment. "She must be protected at all costs."
"So she's the one Orach spoke of," Steve said, realizing the significance.
Natasha's expression became solemn. "Steve, this changes things. We need to evacuate her immediately. Get her on the next lifeboat out."
Wong shook his head firmly. "She must be protected, yes, but she must also grow. True strength comes from facing adversity, from falling and rising again. While I am tasked with ensuring her safety, I cannot—and will not—shield her from the battles that will forge her into who she is meant to become. Today's fight is part of her journey."
Pietro's face contorted with rage as he turned on Wong. "What have you done to my sister?" he demanded, fists clenched.
Before Wong could answer, Wanda's hand shot out, grasping Pietro's wrist. He turned to find her eyes open, glowing with crimson energy but fully aware.
"I'm fine, Pietro," she said, her voice steady and somehow deeper than before. "Better than fine, actually." She turned to Wong with newfound clarity. "That was one of the petals from the lotus that appeared after the Battle of New York, wasn't it?"
Wong nodded respectfully. "Yes, Miss—"
"Just Wanda will do," she interrupted gently.
"Wanda," Wong acknowledged with a slight bow. "There is much to explain, but what you must understand now is that you are extraordinarily important to someone of immense power. You yourself possess remarkable potential. I've come not only to protect you but to evaluate you. If we survive this, the Ancient One wishes to take you as her disciple to help you master your abilities."
"My sister isn't going anywhere with you," Pietro said defensively, positioning himself between them.
Wanda remained silent, her expression turning thoughtful as she processed this revelation. The petal just now had brought stability to her inner realm, further harmonizing her power with her body and rejuvenating her completely—she was back to full strength, all exhaustion gone. More importantly, after dissolving within her inner world, the petal had made the leaves on the tree there more vibrant. Intuitively she felt her understanding of the underlying concepts of power had deepened, as if she suddenly knew them more intimately than before.
"This is her destiny," Wong said firmly to Pietro. "Only under the Ancient One's guidance can she truly understand and master her power—and become stronger."
Before Pietro could argue further, Wanda spoke. "This Orach—he's the being who destroyed the Chitauri and assisted the Avengers during the Battle of New York? Why would someone of such power take interest in me? I'm nobody."
"You are far from nobody, Wanda," Wong said with conviction. "According to the Ancient One, one of the primary reasons Lord Orach gifted our world with the lotus was so that one of its petals would find you and awaken your latent abilities. Think back—didn't your powers manifest around that time? Or at least, didn't you begin to sense something changing within you?"
Wanda and Pietro listened intently.
Wong continued, "Many others around the world experienced similar awakenings after merging with the petals. As for why Lord Orach specifically chose you—the Ancient One didn't share that information. She only said that you are destined to walk the path of the mystic arts, with her as your guide."
Wanda and Pietro exchanged stunned glances as the implications sank in. The origin of Wanda's powers—a question that had haunted them both—suddenly had an answer.
"Orach..." Wanda whispered, testing the name on her lips.
Their conversation was abruptly cut short as explosions thundered overhead. War Machine and Iron Man streaked across the sky, engaging a fresh wave of Ultron drones.
Steve readied his shield. "This discussion will have to wait. Right now, we have work to do."
"Perfect timing," Tony's voice cut in over the comms. "As fascinating as your mystical chat is, Cap's right. We've got a more pressing situation. I have a plan—Avengers, time to get to work. meet me at the church at the center of the city."
FRIDAY immediately shares the coordinates with the team.
"Copy that," Steve replied, already moving toward the center of the city. "We're on our way."
"Roger that," Clint acknowledged, checking his quiver. "Moving to position now."
Minutes later, the Avengers assembled around the Vibranium core in the church. They formed a defensive perimeter as thousands of Ultron's drones converged on their location from all directions.
Wanda took her position beside Pietro, crimson energy dancing between her fingertips. She noticed Wong nearby, his hands already tracing golden defensive mandalas in the air, his eyes vigilant but calm.
"If Ultron gets a hand on the core, we lose," Tony explained, gesturing to the device. "So we protect it with everything we've got."
Everyone nodded in understanding.
Just then Ultron himself descended from above, hovering before them.
"Is that the best you can do?" Thor challenged, Mjolnir crackling with lightning in his grip. The god of thunder stood tall, bolstered by the presence of his teammates.
Ultron simply raised his hand. Hundreds more drones appeared on the horizon, a mechanical army ready for war.
"You had to ask," Steve muttered, shooting Thor a reproachful glance.
"This is the best I can do," Ultron declared. "All of you against all of me. How could you possibly hope to win?"
Tony glanced at his teammates. "Well, like the old man said..." He turned to Steve, then back to Ultron. "Together."
"We'll see about that," Ultron replied coldly. With a single command, his mechanical army surged forward.
The Avengers formed a tight defensive circle around the core as the metallic horde approached.
Wanda struck first—her eyes blazed crimson as she raised her hands, unleashing a controlled wave of scarlet energy that annihilated the approaching drones caught in its path. Their frames dissolved into fine particles as if reality itself rejected their existence. Within seconds, half the mechanical army advancing in her direction had simply vanished, destroyed by her attack fueled by her improved understanding of chaos and destruction.
The battlefield momentarily froze. Wanda's attack left everyone stunned. Steve, Natasha, Pietro, and Clint—having glimpsed her power at the bridge—recovered quickly. The others, however, remained shocked.
Ultron's eyes narrowed as he tried—yet repeatedly failed—to comprehend what they'd witnessed. Despite previous exposure to Wanda's evolved form and powers, this display defied his previous threat assessment. Now, in his eyes, she rivaled Thor's destructive potential—perhaps even exceeded it.
"That's... unexpected," Vision said, amazed.
"Sweet mother of—" Tony's eyes widened behind his mask. "What the hell was that? And more importantly, how many more can you do?"
"I can do more, but I won't," Wanda replied as the remaining drones resumed their advance.
"Why not?" Thor unleashed lightning that cascaded through waves of robots. "Between us, we could end this quickly."
"She's protecting us," Clint explained, firing explosive arrows. "If she uses those attacks now, we might get caught in its wake."
Wanda nodded. "Clint's right." Her hands glowed crimson as she unleashed blasts that tore through several drones simultaneously.
"Then we stick together," Steve commanded, his shield bouncing between multiple targets before returning to his hand.
Natasha combined her agility with her Widow's Bites to dispatch the incoming enemy drones.
Wong's golden mandalas expanded, mystical energy shattering entire lines of drones.
Clint's explosive arrows found their marks with devastating impact.
Pietro became a blue streak across the church, dismantling robots at supersonic speed and leaving trails of shattered metal in his wake.
Hulk roared, seizing drones and tearing them apart.
Tony fired precise repulsor blasts, eliminating drones from multiple directions, while Vision harnessed the Mind Stone's energy to do the same. Together, the two created a formidable defensive perimeter in the air.
Each Avenger fought with all their might against the swarm of enemy drones while remaining mindful of their allies, lending a hand whenever needed to prevent anyone from becoming overwhelmed.
The battle intensified as Ultron's primary body engaged Vision directly. Thor and Tony, seizing an opportunity during the fight, joined the assault. They combined their powers—repulsor beams, lightning, and the Mind Stone's energy—in a unified attack that began to crack Ultron's vibranium shell.
Ultron staggered backward, his metal face showing signs of significant damage. "You know, with the benefit of hindsight—"
Before he could finish, Hulk launched forward with a thunderous roar, delivering a devastating punch that sent Ultron flying into the distance. The remaining drones, suddenly directionless, began to scatter in all directions.
"They're trying to leave the city!" Thor shouted, pointing at the fleeing drones.
"We can't let them escape," Tony responded with urgency. "Rhodey!"
"I'm on it!" War Machine replied through the comms, already pursuing the retreating machines.
Vision soared skyward, the Mind Stone on his forehead glowing brilliantly as he fired precise energy beams at the fleeing drones. War Machine followed in close pursuit, unleashing his arsenal and destroying his targets.
"Get everyone on the lifeboats. I need to figure out how to stop this thing," Tony said as he blasted off, rocketing toward the core.
As the immediate threat subsided, Steve turned to Natasha and Clint. "We need to move out. The air's getting too thin. Get to the lifeboats—I'll sweep for stragglers and be right behind you."
"That's all well and good, Cap," Clint replied, glancing at the core, "but what about this thing?"
Wanda stepped forward with a determined expression. "I'll secure the perimeter around the core," she stated, crimson energy already swirling around her hands as she met Clint's gaze. "It's my job."
Wong silently shook his head when Steve looked at him.
Steve, Natasha, and Clint exchanged glances before nodding in agreement, trusting their allies.
Once they departed, Wanda turned to Wong. "You should go too. They could use your help with the evacuation."
Wong shook his head, offering Wanda a reassuring smile. "My duty is to ensure your safety. Besides, I've been told I'm good company."
Wanda felt complicated at his response but acknowledged it with a nod before turning to Pietro, who remained vigilantly by her side. "You should definitely go. Help with the evacuation, then come back for us when everyone else is off—not before."
Pietro hesitated, his eyes darting between Wong and his sister with obvious concern.
Sensing his reluctance, Wanda sighed. "I can handle this," she assured him firmly. "Now go."
Pietro begrudgingly turned to leave, mumbling under his breath, "I'm twelve minutes older than her, and still I get bossed around." As he vanished in a blur of motion, Wanda, having caught his remark, couldn't help but smile at her brother's predictable stubbornness.
With Wanda and Wong standing guard over the core, the other Avengers split up—some eliminating Ultron's remaining drones while others guided civilians to the lifeboats. Meanwhile, Tony descended to examine the core as the city continued rising to dangerous heights. If they couldn't stop it, the result would be a global catastrophe. After analyzing the situation, Tony devised a plan, quickly shared the details with the team, and got to work.
Meanwhile, Clint and Natasha made their way toward the evacuation ships, weaving through the rubble of the crumbling city.
"I know what I need to do," Clint said suddenly, his mind drifting to his family. "The dining room! If I knock out that east wall, it'll make a nice workspace for Laura, huh? Also, if I put up some baffling, she won't hear the kids running around. What do you think?"
Natasha smiled, playing along. "You guys always eat in the kitchen anyway."
"Right? No one eats in a dining room," Clint replied as they reached the lifeboats. He paused, looking at the chaotic scene around them. "We don't have a lot of time left."
"So get your ass on a boat," Natasha responded, separating from Clint, her eyes already scanning the area for the Hulk. Upon spotting him tensed amid the wreckage, she approached cautiously. "Hey, big guy," she said softly. "Sun's getting real low."
As Clint approached one of the lifeboats, he heard a woman's desperate voice rising above the din.
"Costel? Where are you?" she cried, frantically searching the crowd. "Please, someone help! My brother—we were in the market. Costel?!"
Clint hesitated, then turned back. Scanning the nearby buildings, he spotted a small figure huddled behind a collapsed wall. Without a second thought, he ran back into the fray.
At the edge of the floating city, Ultron had found his way to an abandoned Quinjet despite his damaged state. His vibranium body was cracked and dented from his battle with Thor, Iron Man, Vision, and the Hulk, but his core systems remained functional.
"The plan proceeds… not perfectly," he murmured to himself as he interfaced with the aircraft's systems. "but well enough."
With most of the Avengers occupied with evacuation, he powered up the jet's weapons systems and scanned the battlefield below, searching for high-value targets. His sensors locked onto Natasha and the Hulk.
"I got no strings, so I have fun," Ultron sang softly as he aligned the targeting system. "I'm not tied up to anyone."
The jet's guns opened fire, interrupting Natasha's calming routine. The Hulk roared in fury, shielding her with his massive body before leaping away to confront this new threat.
On Clint's end, he reached the boy, Costel, who was trembling behind the rubble.
"Hey there," he said gently, crouching down. "Your sister's looking for you. Come on, kid. Let's get you to safety."
The boy nodded, allowing Clint to lift him into his arms. As they emerged from their shelter, Clint caught sight of the Quinjet turning in their direction, its guns beginning to spin up.
In that heart-stopping moment, time seemed to slow. Clint made his choice without hesitation, turning his back to shield the child with his body. As the sound of gunfire grew deafening, images of his family flashed through his mind—Laura, the kids, their unborn child.
"I'm sorry, Laura," he thought, bracing for the impact.
But the bullets never came. The noise suddenly stopped, and Clint, confused to find himself still alive, sensed movement behind him. Turning his head, his eyes widened in shock.
Just moments before, as Pietro surveyed the battlefield when the Quinjet opened fire, he spotted Clint shielding the child with his own body, exposed in the open as the Quinjet's guns turned their way. In that moment, he didn't think—he just acted. Without hesitation, Pietro became a blur of motion. The world around him stood nearly frozen as he raced across the debris-strewn ground. He reached Clint and the boy, pushing them behind a toppled car, but hadn't been fast enough to fully escape himself. His body jerked as bullets tore through him. As the gunfire ceased, he stood swaying, his shirt riddled with holes and staining quickly with blood.
"You didn't see that coming," he managed, his voice surprisingly steady despite everything. Then his legs gave way, and he finally fell still.
In the church, Wanda froze mid-attack. A sudden, piercing pain shot through her chest as if something important had been violently torn away. As she closed her eyes and concentrated, she felt the absence of the connection she'd always shared with her twin—the constant presence by her side throughout her life—now suddenly vanished.
"Pietro?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the chaos as Wong fought off straggling drones nearby.
Desperately hoping to prove this awful feeling wrong, she extended her energy outward to the full extent of her power's current reach, searching for her brother's familiar life force. Instead, she felt only emptiness—a void.
"PIETRO!" Wanda screamed, her voice breaking with heart-wrenching anguish.
Her powers erupted uncontrollably, unleashing a devastating shockwave of crimson-black energy that disintegrated everything in its path. She collapsed to her knees as waves of scarlet energy pulsed from her body, her raw grief transforming into pure destructive force that reduced all it touched to crimson particles.
Wong's instincts screamed danger, confirmed when the attacking drones dissolved into particles before his eyes. He retreated while casting his strongest ward spell. Even so, Wanda's shockwave hurled him from the church. His final defensive layer shattered as he crashed to the ground yards from the entrance.
"By the Vishanti," he gasped, struggling to his feet. Not only had his ward been destroyed, but as he examined himself, he discovered that one of his defensive talismans had shattered.
Though he didn't know exactly what had happened, hearing Wanda call her brother's name with such raw pain told him enough. As he prepared to return and offer what comfort he could, a sudden chill ran down his spine.
Wong turned slowly to look at the horizon, and what he saw made him take an involuntary step backward. A feeling of absolute dread washed over him.
"Forgive me, Master," he whispered, his voice hollow with despair. "We failed."