In the months that followed, Wanda and Pietro underwent rigorous training to harness their extraordinary abilities. Each day brought new challenges as they discovered the extent of their powers under HYDRA's supervision.
Pietro's training focused on mastering his superhuman speed. Initially, his body moved faster than his mind could process, resulting in frequent injuries as he collided with walls and obstacles. Through specialized exercises designed by HYDRA scientists, he gradually learned to perceive his surroundings while moving at incredible velocities.
Day by day, Pietro's control improved. His reflexes sharpened until dodging dummy projectiles and even live rounds became not just possible but predictable. The scientists were fascinated by how his metabolism had accelerated to support his speed, requiring him to consume nearly 10,000 calories daily just to maintain his energy levels—for which they developed high-calorie protein options.
For Wanda, the journey proved far more challenging. After the formation of her inner realm and world, she found herself overwhelmed by her power that had grown exponentially.
"It's like trying to hold back an ocean with my bare hands," she confessed during a session with Dr. List. "I can feel it constantly pushing against my control."
Her early attempts at channeling her power resulted in uncontrolled bursts of scarlet energy that damaged equipment and nearly took the life of a technician who had come to repair her room after a previous incident.
"It's okay to be afraid, Miss Maximoff," Dr. List said softly, his steady gaze fixed on her despite the crimson energy dancing between her trembling fingers. "To fear is human. But you must remember why you're here. This setback is just another obstacle to overcome."
Dr. List approached cautiously, "Now focus, Miss Maximoff," he said, his voice steady. "Imagine your power as a raging river, and you are the dam. You don't need to hold it all in—rather, concentrate on directing its flow." He gestured with his hands, mimicking gates opening and closing. "Build mental channels in your mind. Floodgates you control. Release precisely what you need, when you need it." He made notes on his tablet. "I'll have meditation guides and books on psychological visualization techniques sent to you. For someone with your unique gifts, this approach may prove most effective."
The incident with the technician became a turning point for Wanda. Determined to avoid endangering the innocent, she approached training with newfound determination. She followed Dr. List's advice and, using visualization techniques through meditation, constructed a mental framework that leveraged her mental fortitude to contain her abilities. Through diligent practice, she learned to regulate her power.
Gradually, her wild outbursts became focused, her control growing more refined. As she improved, Wanda realized that her inner realm didn't merely serve as the wellspring of her power—it also held the key to properly controlling it. This insight accelerated her progress. She learned to focus her chaotic energy into directed blast attacks that struck targets with great accuracy and annihilated them, and to move objects through the air in complex patterns with increasing precision.
Her body adapted to channel greater energy, developing improved endurance that allowed her to manipulate even heavy objects with ease that would have previously left her exhausted. Most remarkably, she discovered an ability to touch the minds of others—first animals in the lab, then willing human subjects. This telepathic capacity both terrified and fascinated the HYDRA scientists. When she first glimpsed another person's thoughts, Wanda collapsed from the overwhelming flood of memories, emotions, and desires that assaulted her consciousness.
It took weeks to develop the mental discipline to sift through these impressions without losing herself or her control over her powers. This experience also made her realize she needed to find ways to strengthen her body to channel more energy without becoming overwhelmed.
As her training progressed, Wanda delved into the fundamental concepts underlying her abilities. While practicing with small objects and contemplating her basic understanding of these concepts, she managed to manipulate reality itself. By channeling her intuitive understanding of creation and chaos, she merged two separate objects into something entirely new, reshaping their very essence. Then, she reversed her work through her intuitive grasp of destruction, completely obliterating the objects.
The more she practiced, the more questions formed in her mind about these underlying concepts. She began requesting books to expand her understanding of the principles that seemed intrinsically linked to her powers.
After demonstrating sufficient control over their abilities, the twins were finally permitted to reunite. Though they had been allowed to communicate through video channels in previous months, nothing compared to seeing each other in person.
When Wanda entered the common area where Pietro waited, they rushed together in an embrace.
"I've missed you," Pietro murmured, holding his sister tightly.
"I've felt you," Wanda replied. "Even when we couldn't see each other. I could feel you nearby."
With this achievement, the twins earned limited freedom to move about the facility, though always under watchful eyes.
From the observation room overlooking the training facility, Baron Strucker watched their progress with growing satisfaction. His enhanced twins were developing even better than he had hoped—fueled by a hatred of Tony Stark that HYDRA had carefully cultivated.
"They're almost ready," Strucker remarked to Dr. List during one of their regular assessments.
"Yes, Herr Strucker," Dr. List confirmed, reviewing the latest data on his tablet. "Both subjects have improved remarkably, but Miss Maximoff is clearly the more fascinating case. Her abilities continue to evolve in ways we hadn't anticipated. The neural patterns we're observing suggest she's merely scratched the surface of what she might be capable of."
"Good," Strucker replied, his attention drawn to the glowing scepter housed in its containment unit. He approached it thoughtfully, studying the pulsing energy within.
After a moment's hesitation, Dr. List cleared his throat. "Herr Strucker, you must have seen the news reports. HYDRA has been exposed. Fury has released everything to the public."
Strucker gave him a sidelong glance before returning his attention to the scepter. "Everything he knows about."
"Right. But if they get word of our work here, if they find out we serve HYDRA..." Dr. List's voice trailed off as Strucker turned to face him fully.
"You know what your problem is, Doctor?" Strucker began, straightening his posture. "It's that you haven't realized that HYDRA and SHIELD are essentially two sides of the same coin. That's no longer currency." He gestured toward the door. "Walk with me."
As they walked through the facility's corridors, passing labs and various sections, Strucker continued, "What we have is worth more than any of them ever knew. We've only scratched the surface, and already there are other facilities doing HYDRA's good work around the world. We'll feed them to Captain America and his colorful friends—keep them off our scent."
They passed a hallway where the bodies of failed experiment volunteers were being transported away on gurneys, covered with sheets.
"What about the volunteers?" Dr. List asked, watching the grim procession.
"The dead will be buried so deep their own ghosts won't be able to find them," Strucker replied coldly. "You've gained what you can from them."
"And the prized survivors?" Dr. List inquired carefully.
Strucker paused, watching the twins through a security feed as they trained together for the first time, their powers complementing each other in ways even he hadn't anticipated.
"Sooner or later, they will meet the Avengers," he said with quiet certainty. "It's not a world of spies anymore, Doctor. Not even a world of heroes." His eyes gleamed with ambition. "This is the age of miracles."
Though he kept the thought to himself, Strucker silently added, 'And there's nothing more horrifying than a miracle.'
New York
The Avengers had evolved into a cohesive unit under Captain America's leadership. While Thor had returned to Asgard after the Battle of New York, the remaining heroes continued their mission, tackling threats beyond conventional military capabilities. Their operations had initially fallen under SHIELD's jurisdiction until the organization's dramatic collapse following the revelation of HYDRA's extensive infiltration. Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff had exposed this corruption, unveiling how the supposedly defeated Nazi science division had merely gone underground, growing within the very institution designed to safeguard the world. In the aftermath, Stark Industries stepped in to provide backing, allowing the team to operate independently with even greater resources at their disposal.
Tony Stark, however, wrestled with the psychological aftermath of his near-death experience through the wormhole above Manhattan. The glimpse of that vast alien armada waiting in deep space and his encounters with cosmic-level beings like Orach had profoundly altered his worldview and sense of security.
Haunted by vivid nightmares and recurring panic attacks, Tony channeled his anxiety into creation. He developed increasingly sophisticated iterations of the Iron Man armor and, recently, the automated Iron Legion—a fleet of remotely operated suits designed to minimize civilian casualties during their operations. Simultaneously, he collaborated with Banner on contingency measures for various threat scenarios, including containment protocols for the Hulk that Bruce himself had requested.
"If the big guy ever gets too out of control," Bruce had explained, pushing his glasses up his nose, "someone needs to be able to stop me."
Their partnership naturally progressed toward exploring artificial intelligence as the ultimate peacekeeping solution. However, progress had stalled at a crucial juncture as they grappled with both the technical hurdles and profound ethical questions surrounding truly sentient systems.
Now, with intelligence on Loki's scepter—stolen by HYDRA during SHIELD's collapse—the Avengers had spent months hunting down cells across Europe. Thor had returned to Earth following the convergence incident in London and joined their search.
The team gathered at the Avengers Tower—formerly Stark Tower—planning their next operation. The conference room buzzed with focused energy as they analyzed intelligence displayed on a massive holographic interface.
"That's the seventh HYDRA base we've hit in three months," Steve observed, studying the map of their recent operations across Eastern Europe, each successful raid marked with the Avengers' emblem. He traced a pattern with his finger. "But we're still no closer to finding Loki's scepter."
Natasha leaned against the conference table, arms crossed. "Since SHIELD's fall, reliable intelligence has become scarce. And it doesn't help that new HYDRA leaders keep emerging just as fast as we eliminate them. They're truly living up to their namesake." She narrowed her eyes at the display. "I'm starting to think these bases were deliberately leaked to keep us occupied. They likely know we're hunting the scepter."
Tony paced behind them, his movements quick and agitated. "We need to recover it before they unlock its potential. That thing may not open portals like the Tesseract, but we've all experienced firsthand how it can turn allies against each other." He tapped his temple. "Been there, done that. Let's retrieve it before those HYDRA fanatics discover some other nasty function and create an even bigger headache."
Bruce removed his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose. "The radiation signature is unlike anything on Earth. If we can isolate it from background noise, we should be able to track it more effectively."
"I've been developing something that might help with that," Tony replied, swiping at his tablet. A holographic display of complex algorithms materialized above the table. "JARVIS and I have refined our detection systems to identify energy signatures matching the quantum frequency we recorded from the scepter during the New York incident."
Clint straightened from his casual perch on a nearby chair. "Any hits?"
"Nothing definitive yet," Tony answered, expanding the map to highlight a section of Eastern Europe. "But we've narrowed it down to this region. JARVIS is processing the remaining satellite data now."
"Indeed, sir," JARVIS's voice resonated through the room. "I estimate completion of the full spectrum analysis within twenty-four hours."
Steve nodded decisively. "Then we prepare to move as soon as we have a location. The scepter is too dangerous to remain in HYDRA's possession any longer."
"Agreed," Tony said, his expression unusually grave. He glanced briefly toward Thor, who stood silently examining the map. "Your brother's glow stick has caused enough trouble already."
Thor frowned slightly at the reference to Loki but nodded in agreement. "The scepter contains power beyond mortal comprehension. It must be secured before its true potential is unleashed."
Sokovia - HYDRA Base
Winter had enveloped the mountains of Sokovia as Baron Wolfgang von Strucker studied the intelligence reports spread across his desk, his expression darkening. The Avengers had systematically been destroying HYDRA operations throughout Europe at an alarming pace, far exceeding his expectations. He understood they were closing in on the scepter—it was only a matter of time.
Strucker's fingers drummed against the surface of his desk, his cold eyes fixed on Dr. List.
"Expedite our main project trials," he ordered, his voice low. "And plan evacuation drills. When the Avengers come—and they will come—we must be prepared to relocate our essential assets without delay." He leaned forward slightly. "The twins, the scepter, and all research data from our primary project are to be prioritized above everything else. Nothing else matters."
Dr. List removed his glasses, polishing the lenses. "Herr Strucker, the twins have exceeded our expectations." He put his glasses back on before continuing. "Their powers have fully stabilized. Why not deploy them against the very targets they've been training to destroy? Stark is their obsession—the very reason they volunteered. Let them fulfill their purpose."
Strucker rose from his chair with measured precision. "The Avengers' arrival is inevitable." He approached a monitor displaying footage of the twins during their training sessions. "These two represent our only successful subjects from amongst our failed experiments. Their potential is extraordinary, but you're failing to see the larger picture."
He held up one finger. "First, the scepter remains our most valuable asset. Its power fueled our recent breakthroughs and remains central to HYDRA's future." A second finger joined the first. "Second, and I cannot emphasize this enough, the twins possess raw power but they lack combat experience. They've never faced coordinated opposition, let alone opponents of the Avengers' caliber."
Strucker's voice dropped to a low tone. "If we lose the scepter and the twins, we lose everything—not just our research, but any possibility of HYDRA's resurrection."
Dr. List's shoulders tensed, then relaxed in reluctant acceptance. "I understand, Herr Strucker."
"When the attack comes," Strucker continued, turning toward the facility schematics displayed on a nearby screen, "our forces will engage and delay the Avengers while our essential assets are secured for evacuation. Now go and prepare. I need to ensure our soldiers are ready for our inevitable uninvited guests."
Two days later
Wanda Maximoff stood by the frost-covered window of her quarters, watching snow fall across the mountains surrounding the HYDRA facility. The room—once a sterile containment cell—now held personal touches: worn books on psychology, small pieces of Sokovian folk art, and a faded family photograph. As their powers stabilized, Strucker had gradually granted the twins greater freedom within the compound.
A sudden rush of air disturbed the peaceful stillness as Pietro burst inside, the door closing behind him with a soft click.
"They're preparing to move us," he announced. "I overheard List speaking with his team. They're planning to transfer us to another facility after running 'final assessments' on those tin cans—their so-called 'primary breakthrough.'"
Wanda turned from the window with a sigh. "Brother, would it kill you to knock?" She met his gaze, her expression softening. "They're afraid," she said quietly, her eyes briefly flashing crimson. "I've been sensing their fear and anxiety growing stronger in their minds each day."
Pietro scoffed, "They should be afraid. For months they've promised us vengeance against Stark, yet all they've delivered are endless tests and observations."
"Patience, Pietro," Wanda cautioned, reaching out to briefly touch his arm. "I've glimpsed fragments in their thoughts. The Avengers are systematically dismantling HYDRA bases across Europe." Her lips curved into a cold smile. "Sooner or later, they'll find this place... and Stark will be with them."
Pietro paused, matching her gaze with a predatory smile of his own. "Then we'll finally have justice for our parents." His expression softened as he joined her at the window. "Sister... do you ever wonder if we made the right choice?" he asked, voice dropping to a whisper. "Volunteering for their experiments?" The question hung between them, weighted with the unspoken reminder that they alone had survived where dozens of other volunteers had perished.
Wanda looked down at her hands, watching as delicate tendrils of scarlet energy wove between her fingers. "What choice did we have?" she replied softly. "After Stark's weapons destroyed our home, killed our parents..." She closed her hands into fists, the energy intensifying, casting crimson shadows across her face. "Whatever they've made us—whatever we've become—it's worth it if we can prevent others from suffering as we did."
Just then, the facility's alarms suddenly blared, startling them both. Red emergency lights pulsed through the corridors as a voice announced over the intercom, tremors shaking the building: "All personnel to designated stations. We are under attack. This is not a drill. Repeat, this is not a drill. Take your stations."
Pietro was at the door in less than a heartbeat. "Something's happening."
They stepped into the corridor to find soldiers rushing past them, weapons drawn, as the tremors intensified. The distant sound of explosions reverberated through the facility's structure.
"You there!" Pietro called out, intercepting a soldier with a lieutenant's insignia. "What's happening?"
The man's face was taut with tension. "It's the Avengers," he responded, checking his weapon. "They've breached the outer perimeter. All combat personnel are ordered to defensive positions immediately."
Pietro released the soldier, watching him sprint away to join his squad. The twins exchanged a meaningful look as they understood their time had come.
"See Pietro. Our time has come," Wanda said, her eyes flashing crimson.
"Yes, sister," Pietro nodded, a determined smile spreading across his face. He extended his hand to her. "Let's go."
In a blur of motion, Pietro grasped Wanda's hand and rushed them toward the command center. They arrived within seconds, remaining in the shadows as they observed Baron Strucker issuing rapid orders to his subordinates. The twins exchanged a silent glance of understanding as they assessed the situation unfolding before them before making their move.
Moments Before - Sokovian Mountains - Avengers' Communication Channel
"JARVIS confirms this is Strucker's primary research facility," Steve's voice came through the team comms as the Quinjet approached the snowy Sokovian mountains.
"About damn time," Clint muttered, checking his arrows. "I was getting tired of kicking down empty doors."
"Focus," Steve continued, his voice steady. "Primary objective remains recovery of Loki's scepter."
"I'm detecting some unusual energy signatures," Tony interjected, holographic readouts flickering before his eyes. "Whatever Strucker's cooking up in there, it's far beyond conventional tech."
"All the more reason to stick to the plan," Steve warned, meeting each team member's eyes. "Intel suggests Strucker's been using the scepter for weapons development and conducting illegal human experimentation. We don't know what we're walking into. Stark, you and Thor focus on the perimeter defenses and neutralize them. Nat, Clint, and I will handle ground forces. Bruce..."
"Don't worry. I know the drill. Code Green only if necessary," Bruce finished, adjusting his glasses nervously. "I'll monitor from here until you need the Other Guy."
The fortress came into view below them, nestled within the mountain, surrounded by bunkers, guard towers, and anti-aircraft emplacements. As they approached, searchlights swiveled toward the Quinjet, followed immediately by tracer fire streaking through the darkening sky.
"So much for the element of surprise," Tony remarked, his faceplate snapping shut as he prepared to exit. "JARVIS, let's give our friends a proper greeting."
Steve secured his shield to his back and mounted his customized motorcycle in the Quinjet's bay. His expression was resolute. "Comms check. Everyone stay on channel. Avengers, move out!"
The battle erupted as they entered the fray. Iron Man rocketed from the Quinjet's ramp, drawing anti-aircraft fire as he weaved between energy blasts. Thor followed, Mjolnir whirling as storm clouds gathered above him, lightning answering his call and striking defensive positions with devastating strikes. Steve rode his motorcycle down the loading ramp, hitting the snowy ground at full speed and charging directly into HYDRA's front line.
"What the—SHIT!" Tony's voice cut through the comms as he slammed into an invisible barrier.
"Language," Steve admonished reflexively, hurling his shield in a perfect arc that incapacitated three HYDRA soldiers before returning to his grip. "JARVIS, what are we looking at here?"
"The central building is protected by some kind of energy shield, Captain," JARVIS replied through the team's comms. "Strucker's technology is well beyond any other HYDRA base we've taken."
"Loki's scepter must be here," Thor's voice thundered through the comms as he brought Mjolnir down upon a tank, crushing it instantly. "Strucker couldn't mount such defenses without it. At long last."
Natasha executed a combination of strikes, electricity from her Widow's Bite crackling as she disabled two HYDRA operatives. "I hate to interrupt your triumph, boys," she said dryly, "but 'at long last' is lasting a little too long. We need to breach that barrier."
From his elevated position on a ridge overlooking the fortress, Clint loosed arrow after arrow with unerring accuracy. "They're calling in reinforcements from the north," he reported, ducking as return fire chipped away at his cover. "Pretty sure they all know we're here."
"I'm more concerned that our fearless leader with a plan just reprimanded me for my language," Tony quipped as he analyzed the energy shield, searching for weaknesses. "Is no one else going to acknowledge that happened?"
Steve grunted as he drove his motorcycle straight through a HYDRA formation, sending soldiers scattering. "I know, I know. It just slipped out. Focus on the barrier, Tony."
"Sir," JARVIS alerted, "the city is taking fire."
Tony's expression hardened instantly. "Strucker's not going to care about civilian casualties. JARVIS, deploy the Iron Legion. Priority on civilian safety."
Across the valley, sleek automated Iron Legion suits detached from their carrier, streaking toward the threatened town. Their synthesized voices echoed through streets as panicked civilians looked skyward, "Attention. This area is unsafe. Please remain calm and back away. We are here to help."
Deep within the fortress, Baron Strucker observed the battle unfolding on multiple screens. In the shadowy corner near the command center's entrance, Wanda and Pietro watched intently, their expressions unreadable as they witnessed the Avengers cutting through HYDRA's defenses.
Strucker maintained his composure as he turned to Dr. List, whispering his commands. "Change of plans. I'm surrendering to the Avengers. Delete everything. If we give them the weapons, they may not dig deeper into our special projects. Now go, have the twins secure the scepter..."
Dr. List attempted to interrupt. "Sir, about the twins—"
"They're not ready for direct confrontation with the Avengers," Strucker insisted.
"That's not—" Dr. List gestured toward the corner where they'd both noticed the twins earlier but had chosen to ignore until now. The space was now empty.
Strucker's expression darkened. "Where are they?"
"The twins slipped out while you were addressing the troops, Baron," Dr. List explained.
Strucker's jaw tightened. "Then we must hope their abilities prove as effective in combat as they did in testing." His voice hardened. "Now go purge all data. Prioritize anything related to our recent breakthrough."
Outside, a blur of motion streaked across the battlefield. Before Clint could react, Pietro materialized in front of him, knocking him off his feet with incredible force. The speedster paused just long enough to flash a cocky grin.
"You didn't see that coming?" Pietro taunted before vanishing in a silver-blue streak.
As Clint struggled to his feet, the nearby HYDRA bunker swiveled its guns toward him. A barrage of fire erupted, catching him in the side before he could dodge. He collapsed with a pained cry, clutching his wounded flank.
"Clint!" Natasha's alarmed voice cut through the comms.
Across the battlefield, Steve was knocked down by the same blur of motion. He quickly rolled to his feet, shield at the ready. "We have an enhanced in the field," he warned the team.
Natasha sprinted to Clint's position, sliding behind cover as she reached him. She quickly assessed his wound, applying pressure and first aid. "Clint's hit pretty bad! Somebody want to deal with that bunker?" She called urgently over the comms.
In the next moment, a deafening roar answered her request as the Hulk bounded over a ridge, his massive form casting a shadow across the snow. With a single powerful leap, he crashed through the reinforced concrete of the bunker, silencing its guns permanently.
"Thank you," Natasha said with genuine relief, turning her attention back to stabilizing Clint's wound and applying first aid.
Steve pushed through a squad of HYDRA soldiers, his shield a blur as he fought his way toward the fortress. "Stark, we really need to get inside this place."
"Working on it," Tony replied, his repulsors flaring as he circled the facility. "JARVIS, give me a weak point in that shield. What about the power source?"
"Analyzing, sir," JARVIS responded promptly. "I've detected a particle wave generator below the north tower that appears to be powering the defensive barrier."
"Perfect," Tony said, adjusting his flight path. "I want to poke it with something." He fired a precision blast at the identified weak point, resulting in a cascade of energy disruptions across the shield's surface before it collapsed entirely. "Drawbridge is down, people. Time to crash this party."
Thor landed beside Steve in a crackle of lightning, Mjolnir sending three HYDRA soldiers flying backward. "The path is clear, Captain," he announced, swinging his hammer in preparation for flight.
"Find the scepter," Steve ordered, dispatching another soldier with a shield throw. "That's our primary objective."
Thor nodded grimly. "I shall deal with their reinforcements," he said, launching himself skyward with a mighty swing of Mjolnir toward the approaching HYDRA tanks.
"And for gosh sake, watch your language out there!" Tony quipped through the comms, unable to resist the opportunity.
Steve sighed heavily as he caught his returning shield. "That's not going away anytime soon, is it?"
Tony breached the fortress walls, immediately confronted by a squad of HYDRA operatives with raised weapons. "Guys, let's be reasonable. We should talk this through," he announced with mock sincerity before unleashing a barrage of precisely calibrated micro-missiles. The soldiers scattered as the non-lethal attack disabled their weapons and knocked them down. "It was a good talk," Tony remarked, striding forward.
A disarmed soldier groaned from where he lay against the wall. "No it wasn't."
Tony quickly located the main lab where Dr. List was frantically attempting to purge all data. With a single repulsor blast, Tony incapacitated the scientist, then stepped out of his armor with practiced ease.
"Sentry mode," he commanded, and the empty suit took up a vigilant position by the door. Tony approached the laboratory terminals, fingers already flying across the keyboards. "Okay, JARVIS, you know I want it all. Make sure you copy Hill at HQ."
He then circled the room, something about the layout triggering his instincts. "This can't be all there is," he muttered. "Hey, J, give me an IR scan of the room, quick."
"The wall to your left," JARVIS replied after a moment. "I'm detecting steel reinforcement behind the paneling and an air current consistent with a hidden passage."
Tony approached the wall, tapping it experimentally. "Please be a secret door, please be a secret door, please be a secret door..." he chanted under his breath as he pressed against various sections. A panel suddenly receded with a hydraulic hiss, sliding sideways to reveal a darkened corridor. "Yay!" Tony exclaimed with genuine enthusiasm. "I love being right."
Outside the compound, Natasha's voice came through the comms. "Perimeter's secure. HYDRA forces are in retreat or surrendering."
"Then get to Banner," Steve ordered calmly. "Time for a lullaby."
As Natasha approached the Hulk with measured steps. Unknown to her, Pietro and Wanda observed from the cover of dense underbrush.
"Look at her," Pietro whispered incredulously, watching as Natasha extended her hand toward the massive green figure without a trace of fear. "She's walking right up to him."
Wanda's eyes narrowed, crimson energy briefly flickering at her fingertips before she suppressed it. "She should be terrified," she murmured, studying the interaction with quiet interest. After a moment's consideration, she placed a restraining hand on her brother's arm. "They aren't our targets, Pietro. Stark is who we are after. He must be inside by now."
"You're right," Pietro nodded, his expression hardening at the mention of Stark. "Hold on." In one fluid motion, he scooped up his sister and vanished in a blur, leaving only disturbed snow as evidence of their presence.
Inside the fortress, Steve cornered Strucker in a service corridor as the Baron attempted to flee. Strucker froze at the sight of Captain America blocking his path, eyes darting frantically for an escape route.
"Baron Strucker," Steve stated coldly, his shield held at the ready. "HYDRA's number one thug."
Strucker straightened, countering, "Technically, I'm a thug for SHIELD."
"Well, then technically you're unemployed," Steve replied, advancing a step. "Where's Loki's scepter?"
Strucker replied calmly despite his precarious position. "Don't worry, I know when I'm beaten. You'll mention how I cooperated, I hope?"
Steve's expression hardened. "I'll put it right under 'illegal human experimentation' in my report. How many are there?"
Unknown to Steve, Wanda had silently approached from behind. Crimson energy gathered around her hands, and with a sudden thrust, she sent it surging toward Rogers—catching him off guard and sending him tumbling down the staircase.
"A second one?" Steve muttered as he regained his footing, catching only a glimpse of Wanda's retreating form disappearing around a corner. He tapped his comm. "We have a second enhanced. Female. Do not engage. She's using some kind of... energy manipulation."
He turned back to Strucker, who had used the distraction to retrieve a concealed weapon. The Baron's smirk was triumphant as he raised his pistol. "You'll have to be faster than—"
His taunt died on his lips as Steve's shield connected solidly with his head, dropping him unconscious to the floor.
"Guys, I got Strucker," Steve reported calmly through the comms, retrieving his shield. "Unconscious, but alive."
"Yeah, I got... something bigger," Tony replied, his voice hushed as he stood stunned by what he'd discovered deep within the hidden lab. The room housed recovered Chitauri technology, including a massive leviathan corpse suspended from the ceiling. Various incomplete robotic prototypes and weaponry lined the walls—evidence of HYDRA's attempts to reverse-engineer alien technology.
Suddenly, outside the sky darkened unnaturally. Clouds churned and coalesced into a perfect circular anomaly overhead, emanating an overwhelming aura that made everyone present feel a profound sense of dread. Within moments, a sphere of brilliant energy descended from the middle, its immense pressure forcing every living being on Earth to their knees. Similar phenomena manifested simultaneously across all life-bearing worlds throughout all universes of the Lower Realm. Then came a declaration that echoed throughout existence.
At the end of which, a powerful, resonant voice—an Alacrity representative speaking for the High Council—proclaimed, "By decree of the Young Heavenly Emperors, the Tournament of Power is hereby announced! Rejoice, for your Lower Realm has been chosen to participate in this grand event. Should you choose to participate, you have twenty of your years—fifty years by Higher Realm flow of time—to prepare your champions. Choose wisely, for only the mightiest shall survive."
As the light faded and the voice dissipated, an uneasy silence fell over all worlds. From government officials to heroes like the Avengers in Sokovia, from gods and demons to champions and tyrants across the universes, even the celestials and cosmic entities—all wore expressions ranging from shock to fear to intrigue. For many, this was the first time they had felt such overwhelming power or heard such imperious words reverberate throughout all universes. None could trace the energy's origin or detect how it had invaded the Lower Realm so effortlessly and undetected. For now, they could only take the announcement at face value.
Kamar-Taj
As the presence withdrew and the clouds returned to normal, the Ancient One rose to her feet, her expression grave. She had been leading a coordinated effort to strengthen the mystical barriers as their enemy from the Dark Dimension had been probing for weaknesses as of late. Now, as things returned to normal, she seized the opportunity, recognizing that even this powerful adversary had been affected by the cosmic announcement.
"Reinforce the barriers immediately," she commanded her disciples. "Use this opening while our enemy is still recovering." As the Sorcerer Supreme watched her pupils channel their magic, she too began weaving protective spells, her eyes reflecting both concern and determination as she looked at the sky. "So, it begins," she murmured softly.
Sokovia
Tony braced himself against a panel, struggling to regain his footing. "What the hell was that?" he asked, his voice clearly agitated over the comms. "Did everyone else just experience that, or am I losing it?"
"No, we all felt it," Natasha replied, her voice tense. "Whatever it was, it brought all of us down simultaneously."
Banner's voice came through next, still somewhat breathless. "It's the Higher Realms again. Do you think Orach could be involved in this Tournament they mentioned?"
"Whether he is or isn't hardly matters," Thor responded, and despite everything, there was unmistakable excitement in his voice. "A Tournament of Power that spans realms? Now that sounds like a worthy challenge!"
"Easy, Thor," Steve cautioned. "We all remember the kind of power Orach displayed. We'll discuss this later." His tone shifted to something more authoritative. "Right now, our priority remains the scepter."
"Speaking of which," Tony said, his gaze falling upon the artifact displayed prominently at the center of the room. "Thor, I got eyes on the prize."
As Tony approached the scepter, Wanda, who had been struggling to her feet after the cosmic announcement, took a deep breath to calm herself. The crimson energy surrounding her hands had flared involuntarily during the event, and her power within her inner realm was clearly agitated. Composing herself just enough, she focused on Stark and silently walked behind him as her eyes flashed crimson. With subtle, practiced movements of her fingers, tendrils of energy flowed toward his mind. His vision blurred, and suddenly the dead Chitauri leviathan suspended above them seemed to come alive. The lab dissolved, replaced by a nightmarish vision.
Tony found himself standing on a barren, alien landscape. All around him lay the broken bodies of his fellow Avengers. With mounting horror, he stumbled toward Steve's motionless form and desperately checked for a pulse. Suddenly, Steve's hand shot up and grasped his wrist with unexpected strength.
"You could have saved us," the dying Captain accused, his eyes filled with blame that pierced Tony's soul. "Why didn't you do more?"
The vision expanded outward, revealing a massive Chitauri armada descending upon Earth through a gaping portal in the sky. Cities burned below as countless ships darkened the Earth's sky. Tony's breathing became rapid and shallow as the horrific scene enveloped him—until he suddenly snapped back to reality in the lab, disoriented and visibly shaken.
Wanda, shocked by what she saw in his mind, quickly retreated. Pietro soon appeared beside her. From their hiding place, Pietro anxiously stepped forward, watching Stark's reaction but was stopped by Wanda. "He's within our grasp, sister," he whispered, eyeing Tony's approach to the scepter with concern. "We're just going to let them take it?"
Wanda's lips curved into a knowing smile as she observed Tony summon his gauntlet with trembling hands and seize the scepter. "Yes," she replied softly. "Trust me, brother. After what I've seen in his mind, this is better than our original plan."
"But we came here to—" Pietro began to protest.
"Patience," Wanda interrupted, placing a calming hand on her brother's arm. Her eyes remained fixed on Stark's retreating figure. "Stark will destroy himself—and the Avengers along with him." A hint of dark satisfaction gleamed in her eyes. "He'll use the scepter. I've seen it clearly in his mind. His fear will drive him to create something terrible... something that will tear them apart from within."
Pietro hesitated for a moment, studying his sister's expression before nodding slowly. He had never questioned Wanda's abilities or judgment—they had survived this long because of her insight. "What about this... Tournament?" he asked quietly. "Should we be concerned?"
"For now, no. Now let's go," said Wanda with a solemn tone.
New York
After completing their mission, though shaken by the surprises the day had thrown at them, the team returned to New York. As the Quinjet landed on the Avengers' tower, Dr. Helen Cho and her team welcomed them, immediately transferring Clint and attending to his injuries as they made their way to the facility inside. Thor secured the scepter in a specialized containment unit while Bruce, still wrapped in a blanket, walked down the ramp with the rest.
"Lab's all set up, boss," Maria Hill reported to Tony walking towards them.
"Actually, he's the boss," Tony replied, gesturing to Steve. "I just pay for everything, and design everything, and make everyone look cooler."
Steve approached, removing his helmet as they walked inside. "What about Strucker and the two enhanced?"
"NATO has Strucker. As for the twins, they are Wanda and Pietro Maximoff," Maria answered, sending their files to the team's tablets. "Twins. Orphaned at ten when a shell collapsed their apartment building."
Steve frowned as he reviewed the information. "Sokovia's had a rough history. It's nowhere special, but it's on the way to everywhere special."
"Their abilities?" Steve asked, glancing over the tablet.
"He's got increased metabolism and improved thermal homeostasis. Her thing is neuroelectric interfacing, telekinesis, energy and mental manipulation," Maria explained. Noticing Steve's blank look, she simplified, "He's fast and she's weird."
"Well, they're going to show up again," Steve said with certainty.
"Agreed. According to their files, they volunteered for Strucker's experiments," Maria said, shaking her head. "Hard to imagine why anyone would do that."
"Is it?" Steve countered, a knowing look in his eyes. "Some people would do anything to protect their homeland, even let a German scientist experiment on them."
Maria raised an eyebrow. "We're not at war, Captain."
"They are," Steve replied quietly, his voice heavy.
Meanwhile, in Tony's high-tech lab, Banner approached as Tony scanned the scepter with JARVIS. Holographic displays projecting detailed analyses of the artifact's energy signature.
"Take a look at this," Tony said, manipulating the holographic projections to isolate a pulsating, ethereal core at the center of the scepter. "What does that remind you of?"
Bruce leaned forward, adjusting his glasses as he studied the intricate patterns. "It's... incredible. It's like a neural network. Like, it's thinking." His voice dropped to a whisper of awe. "This isn't just energy—it's intelligence. Not human, but something... else."
"I knew you'd see it that way," Tony replied, as his expression turned serious. "In Strucker's lab, I found some advanced robotics work. They wiped most of the data, but whatever he was working on—" he paused, meeting Bruce's eyes, "—it was cutting-edge AI research."
"Artificial intelligence," Bruce said quietly in understanding.
"Exactly." Tony expanded the holographic display, revealing more of the scepter's internal complexities. "This isn't just any AI—it's orders of magnitude beyond anything we've developed... Bruce, this could be the missing piece."
Bruce met his gaze, noting the flash of excitement in Tony's eyes. "Missing piece for what exactly? I know that look, Tony. What are you thinking?"
"Ultron." Tony's expression grew serious. "Remember that global defense program idea we discussed? The one we could never quite crack?" He gestured expansively. "What if we integrated this intelligence framework with my Iron Legion protocols?"
Bruce frowned. "Tony, I thought we agreed to analyze the scepter before Thor takes it back to Asgard. Not... whatever you're suggesting. Plus there's no guarantee we'll be able to study something this complex and develop a working model in such a short time span. And you're suggesting we do this by going behind the team's back, no less."
Tony moved closer, his expression earnest. "Just hear me out. Imagine a world where you're not constantly looking over your shoulder. Where you could be anywhere—maybe a beach, sipping margaritas, turning brown instead of green. Not constantly worried about VERONICA having to contain the other guy."
"Hey now. Don't hate on VERONICA," Bruce protested with a slight smile. "I helped design her, remember?"
Tony nodded. "As a worst-case measure, right? A failsafe. But what about best-case? What if the world was actually safe? What if the next time aliens show up—and they will—they couldn't even get past the bouncer?"
"So the only threats left would be human ones," Bruce mused thoughtfully, clearly intrigued despite his reservations.
"Three days, Bruce. That's all I'm asking," Tony said. "Just three days with this, before Point Break whisks it away forever. JARVIS can't download a data schematic this dense quickly—we can only do it while it's here. We have one shot." He paused, his expression growing grave. "Bruce, just think about what happened today. You heard that cosmic announcement about some 'Tournament of Power.' After New York and now this? We're not prepared for what's coming. Not even close. That's why we need this—our world needs this." His eyes met Bruce's. "So... are you in?"
Bruce's expression grew contemplative as he weighed the implications. "I want to protect our world too, Tony. But rushing into something like this—especially after what just happened with that voice from the sky—feels reckless. Are you absolutely certain about this?"
"More certain than I've ever been about anything," Tony replied without hesitation, the haunting images from Wanda's vision still vivid in his mind. He pulled up the Ultron Program schematics. "Just imagine it, Bruce. A suit of armor around the world. That's what we need." He glanced at the scepter, its ethereal blue energy pulsing gently. "And this might just make it possible." His voice softened, filled with genuine hope. "Peace in our time. Real peace. Imagine that."
Bruce, seeing the determined look in Tony's eyes, sighed internally and nodded. "Alright. Let's get to work."