"I knew you'd ask me this," Viper said, pulling a USB drive from her pocket. "Luckily, I found it for you."
"Wanda Maximoff was born in Sokovia, a small landlocked country.
When she was ten years old, her parents were killed in a missile strike caused by a failed Stark Industries bomb.
She and her brother, Pietro Maximoff, were orphaned and later taken in by Baron Strucker.
They were brought into HYDRA and have been under Strucker's control ever since.
I conducted a thorough investigation of the siblings, and apart from being stunningly beautiful, I didn't find anything particularly special about Wanda!
Master, why are you so concerned about this woman?"
Is it just because you're attracted to her beauty? But I don't think you're that shallow, Master…
Viper handed the USB drive containing Wanda's file to Loren, her expression a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
"You're wrong," Loren said with a shrug. "I am that shallow. I'm only attracted to Wanda's beauty and lust after her body. So what? Got a problem with that?"
Viper blinked. "You have to understand—that's Scarlet Witch Wanda! If you're not lusting after her body, are you lusting after her brother Quicksilver?"
"There's a cat pancake here!"
"..." Viper fell silent.
"Master, you really don't need to do this," she finally said. "You're already surrounded by beautiful women."
"What man complains about having too many women?" Loren shot back. "Would you complain about having too much money?"
"But can you even handle so many women?"
"Ha! Don't you have any idea whether you can handle it or not?"
"You flew five times in less than half an hour! I've never seen anyone fly like that. If they could all fly like you, I could easily take on ten more!"
"Master, that's insulting! And how is that my fault?"
"If it's not your fault, then whose is it?"
"Yours! Who told you to be so… defiant!"
"Also," Viper added with a pout, "you just promised you wouldn't laugh at me—but you brought it up again. That's going too far."
"As punishment," Loren declared, "you must fly again. This time, you have to last twenty minutes."
"Hold on for twenty minutes?" She scoffed. "Ha! You might as well say you can keep shaking for twenty minutes—that's more believable."
"You—! I told you not to insult me like that! It's just that the effects of the Super Soldier Serum have worn off!"
"If you'd just inject me with a permanent dose of the serum, I could make you collapse from exhaustion today. You believe me?"
"Don't try to provoke me. I'm already full and have entered a state of sagehood. Don't even think about seducing me."
Viper sighed. "Master… can you just tell me what's so special about Wanda? I'm genuinely curious. I want to learn so I can serve you better."
"It's very simple," Loren said. "You just need to look like Wanda."
"..."
"Alright, enough nonsense," he said, tone shifting. "It's not time to explain Wanda's secrets yet. Just know this: she's very important to me. Taking her under my wing isn't optional—it's necessary."
"So… you want me to help you win her heart? Make her willingly serve you?"
"Exactly."
Viper stared at him, stunned. "Master… you want me to be your wingman? Your own subordinate, helping you pick up women? Is there anything more outrageous?"
"What, is it not allowed?" Loren frowned, his expression instantly hardening.
Viper flinched. While she could banter freely when he was relaxed, the moment Loren turned serious, she knew better than to push further.
After all, he was still her Master—and disrespect could be fatal.
"Okay, okay!" she said quickly. "Of course, Master. Whatever you say. But isn't winning women your forte? Aren't you the legendary heartbreaker?"
"Drop the titles," he said. "Yes, I'm a heartbreaker—but only when I get the chance!"
"Master, what chance do we need? Just use the same tricks you used on me!"
"...…"
"Here's my plan: I'll kidnap her, lock her in a dark room, and then you swoop in—you know the rest!"
"You know nothing! Do you think all women are like you?"
"Well… isn't that what worked on me?"
"You are you. Wanda is Wanda. You're different—I tailor my approach accordingly!"
"How about… installing a listening device in her brain? That should work, right?"
"Absolutely not. I can't bear the thought of harming such a lovely girl."
"???" Viper's eyes widened.
"Master, you treat Wanda with such care and tenderness… but you put me through hell. I feel like a clown."
"Don't fuss over details. You liked it anyway, didn't you?"
"That's true… but it's so unfair! Master, I want your pity too—"
SMACK!
Before she could finish, Loren slapped her across the face.
"Am I being too lenient? Is this enough mercy for you?"
Without the Super Soldier Serum enhancing her body, Viper stood no chance against Loren. It was a miracle she ever lasted more than a few minutes.
Sometimes, it was over before it even began—truly, an eye-opener. She'd only ever heard of men finishing quickly… never imagined a woman could be "second-rate" too. The shame burned.
"By the way," Loren said casually, "you just suggested kidnapping Wanda?"
"Master, I was joking! No real kidnapping—I swear!" Viper shook her head frantically.
"No, I like the idea," he mused. "You'll play the villain—kidnap her dramatically. Then I'll descend like a god, beat you senseless, and stage a classic hero-saves-the-damsel scene. Might just win her heart that way."
"???" Viper paled. "Master… if you want to kill me, just say so. No need for theatrics."
"Don't worry—I won't kill you. Just spank you. Like now."
"..."
"Master, really, there's no need for all this," Viper insisted. "According to my intel, Baron Strucker did take in Wanda and Pietro—but not out of kindness. He's been holding them captive for human experiments."
She leaned forward. "Wanda hates him. If you rescue her before those experiments begin… you could win her loyalty and her heart. No kidnapping required. Please, don't drag me into this!"
"What? Strucker's already started experiments?" Loren's eyes narrowed. "That doesn't make sense. The Mind Stone hasn't even been activated yet."
"The Mind Stone? What's that?"
"Never mind. The priority is clear: we must rescue Wanda. Strucker must not lay a hand on her. That woman is mine."
With that, Loren grabbed Viper's arm and dragged her toward the lab.
"Time for an upgrade," he said, prepping a syringe of Super Soldier Serum.
Then he reached for the green symbiote he'd plundered.
"Yo
u're going to need every advantage," he added, "because you're about to become HYDRA's greatest threat—and Wanda's would-be captor."
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