The Hydra Research Base was in chaos. Birch could hear explosions from outside and the whole base shook. A man was giving out orders saying, " Report to your stations immediately. This is not a drill. We are under attack. " Agents were yelling at each other as they gathered weapons. The man continued to give out orders and alerting everyone.
Birch, Wanda and Pietro were standing in the back of the room watching agents scramble everywhere to prepare for the attack. The three had just received new clothes to wear. Birch had on jeans with sneakers and a grey shirt. He had on a hoodie that was covered in black and red stripes.
Pietro and Wanda were reassuring each other through their mental link. Birch was halfway listening to the twins and half listening to the Hydra agents. Pietro and Wanda grasped each other's hands nervously.
Stucker entered the room. " Who gave the order to attack? " A young man lifted his head to look at him.
" Um sir they are Avengers. " The young man answered bluntly. Another man in combat gear walked up from behind.
" They've landed in the forest. The perimeters have been breached. "
Strucker cursed silently saying, " They have to be after the scepter. Can we hold them? "
The young man from before had a look of disbelief on his face. " T-they're Avengers! " He squeaked out.
" Gather the rest of the tanks. Begin firing on the weak ones. A hit and we'll make them close ranks. " Strucker walked over to a man and began whispering to him.
Birch could still hear what he was saying due to his enhanced hearing. " Send out the boy and the twins. " Wanda and Pietro shared a look as Birch continued to listen, whatever he heard the twins heard through the mental link.
"It's too soon. " The man questioned Strucker's words.
" It's what they signed up for. " The man said. But Strucker wouldn't give in easily. The man didn't question him again as Strucker said, " My men can hold them. " Strucker gave the twins and Birch a glance before turning around. Agents ran out of the base to face the intruders, the Avengers may have been outnumbered but that wasn't going to change anything.
" We will not yield. The Americans sent their circus freaks after us. We will send them back in bags. " Strucker circled the room with hands folded behind his back. He appeared calm and confident. " No surrender! "
" No surrender! " Everyone echoed back. Suddenly Pietro grabbed Wanda and Birch's arms and sped them away before anyone would notice.
Pietro ran to the side of the base where no one would be. " Wanda you stay here until I come back. Hide so no one will find you. Who knows what these Americans with do if they find you. Birch and I will handle these Avengers. " Wanda watched as her brother and friend headed out to the battle.
Pietro ran out of the base and dropped Birch off at the edge of the forest. He spotted an explosion and ran off with a laugh. This was going to be fun.
Birch listened to the chaos all around him and took in a deep breath. He hasn't been outside for so long it felt great. The crispy cold air felt good on his face and the snow covered ground was soft. Birch stretched before getting down on all fours, he learned awhile ago that he had the ability to run faster with all of his limbs in use. His legs launched him into motion while his hands grasped the ground and threw him forward.
Pietro ran through the forest before noticing a man hiding behind a tree with a bow in his hands. He must have been one of the Avengers. The man aimed one of his arrows at a small Hydra bunker and shot at it.
Pietro easily caught up with the arrow and watched it slowly head towards it's destination. Pietro grabbed the arrow watching the man behind the tree wait for the bunker to explode.
A few moments later he looked at the bunker and saw it undamaged. He quickly reloaded his bow and aimed another arrow at the bunker. But this time the arrow wasn't going to even fly. Pietro ran and hit the arrow-man at full speed. The man hit the ground with a surprised yelp.
Pietro walked in front of him twirling the arrow in his hands. " You didn't see that coming? " Pietro taunted before speeding off. He saw another man in a suit with a shield and ran into him sending the man up in the air. Surprisingly the man with the shield landed on his feet expertly.
" We have an enhanced in the field. " The man with the shield said to his teammates over the comm.
Steve looked out for any incoming enemy agents as Stark looked for a way into the Hydra base. His shield in hand, he began to head to the edge of the forest. He heard a shuffling noise and looked to his right, nothing in sight.
He began to walk when he suddenly felt a powerful strike hit his back. He landed on the ground a few feet away from the spot he was just standing at. He wildly searched for his attacker and didn't see the blur. He got on his feet as quickly as he could and started to run.
" There are two enchanced in the field. " Steve warned over the comms hoping that no one else got attacked.
Birch was running through the forest staying out of sight. He was near the edge of the forest when he saw one of the Americans that Strucker mentioned. This American had a shield in his hand and looked rather strong, Birch would have to use the element of surprise. Birch crouched behind several trees before running quickly to the American with the shield.
When he was several feet away from the American, Birch started to launch himself into the air and tucked into a ball. He delivered a kick to the American's back sending him sprawling onto the ground. Birch ran off before the American could spot him.
Birch listened to the American report to his teammates about another ' enhanced ' in the field. He must've been talking about Birch. He was wrong though, Birch wasn't an enhanced.
Wanda was hidden in the shadows as she watched Strucker stand a few meters away from her. There was a sudden bang as a man with a combat suit and a shield kick down an agent.
" Hydra's number one thug. " The man said as he stalked over to Strucker. The man began asking about the whereabouts of the scepter.
Wanda began to emerge from the shadows, eyes and hands glowing with power. Strucker eyed her as she came out of the shadows. The man didn't seem to notice her presence as she got closer to his side.
" How many are there? " The man asked. Wanda activated her powers and threw the man down the stairs. He fell down the stairs with a grunt and quickly recovered. He began to head back up the stairs. Wanda stepped back behind doors and slammed them shut with her telekinesis.
Wanda entered the secret chamber where the scepter was. She heard a another male voice speak. Many experiments lay on tables with equipment surrounding them. A huge strange creature layed on display with it's huge jaw hanging open.
" Thor I got eyes on the prize. " It was Stark. The man who was responsible for her parents death and the destruction of their home. This was a time for revenge.
Wanda walked towards Stark, deathly quiet. She sent the man into his worst fears and nightmares. Wanda through her mental link told Pietro and Birch where she was and who was with her.
She watched in surprise as Stark gasped and broke out of his nightmare. Stark looked around making sure he was awake. Wanda heard the quiet sound of shoes hitting the floors and soon Pietro arrived along with Birch.
Pietro glared at Stark and started to advance towards the older man. His face was illuminated with an eerie glow from lights above. Birch's throat grumbled with a small growl and his hand and part of his wrist changed into a sword. The sword cut through the air with a satisfying slice. Wanda put a hand on Pietro's chest and through the mental link said, No. I have a plan.
Stark raised his hand in the air.
" We're just going to let him take it. " Pietro grounded out from clenched teeth. Birch agreed making a sound of confusion. Birch had heard about Stark, about how the twins hated him. Wanda didn't respond and watched Stark with a growing smile.
Something shot through the air and attached itself to Stark's hand. It was a metal glove and soon Stark snatched the scepter.
Maria Hill entered the jet as it landed. She spotted Stark and Steve still remaining in the jet. " Labs all set up boss. " She informed Stark as he turned around in the pilots seat.
" Uh, actually he's the boss, " Stark pointed at Steve, " I just pay for everything and design everything and make everything look cooler. " Maria rolled her eyes at Stark's usual snark.
She informed Steve about the location of Strucker.
" The two enhanced? " Steve walked towards Maria. Maria turned on the tablet in her arms.
" Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, twins. Orphaned at twelve when a bomb hit their neighborhood. The other one's real name is unknown but it has been noted that the twins nicknamed him Birch. Sokovia has a rough history. It's no where special but it's on the everywhere special. " Steve took the tablet from Maria.
" Their abilities? "
" The older twin has increased metabolism and improved thermo homeostasis. The younger twin, her thing is neural electric interfacing and telekinesis, mental manipulation. " Steve gave her a look. " He's fast and she's weird. "
" And what about the third one? The boy. " Before Maria could start Steve said, " Keep it simple. "
" Basically he has cybernetic implanments and millions of tiny robots in his bloodstreams that help him make stuff. "
Steve could say only one thing. " Yeah they'll be back. "
" Agreed. Files says the twins volunteered for Strucker's experiments. It's nuts. " Steve entered the elevator and turned at Maria's words.
" Yeah what kind of monster would let a German scientist experiment on them to protect their country? " Steve said with a small smile.
" We're not at war Captain. "
" They are. " Steve watched the doors close.
Pietro, Wanda and Birch walked up to the monastery. They didn't know who or what was waiting for them there but they were ready. Leaves crunched beneath Pietro's feet as he made his way up the hill alongside his sister and friend. As they entered the monastery Birch sniffed the air searching for the scent of the person who wanted to meet them. Nothing. He didn't smell any other human being in the monastery other than Pietro and Wanda. Birch picked up the scent of machinery in the air.
There was a throne sitting in the middle of the circular room with a figure draped in a cloak on it.
Wanda was the first to speak, " Talk, and if you are wasting our time- " The figure interrupted her with a metallic voice.
" Did you know this church is in the exact center of this city? The elders decreed it so they could be equally close to God. I like that, the geometry of belief. " Birch frowned at the stranger's words. There was a pause. Wanda concentrated at the figure trying to read his thoughts.
" You're wondering why you can't see inside my head. " The stranger stated.
" Sometimes it's hard. But sooner or later a man shows himself. " Wanda answered slowly walking towards the stranger. The stranger stood up, surprisingly tall with a menacing atmosphere.
The cloak slid off and revealed not a man but a humanoid android. " Well I'm sure they do. " Birch's hands clenched into fist, ready to fight. Wanda gasped involuntarily in surprise. Pietro instinctively stood behind her, his hands brushed against her back.
" But you needed something more than a man. " The android continued. " That's why you let Stark take the scepter. " The android walked towards them. Birch resisted the urge to form a cannon out of his hand.
" I didn't expect... " Wanda trailed off and nodded at the android. " But I saw Stark's fear. I knew it would control him, make him self destruct. " Birch looked at Wanda in understanding, her plan worked.
" Everyone creates the things they dread. " The android looked down at them with unnatural red eyes. " Men of peace create machines of war. Invaders create Avengers. People create, " The android paused a look of indesicion was on his face, " Uh smaller people. Um.. Children! Ha-ha lost the word there. " The android had a grin on his face.
Birch snorted at the android's words. The android said, " Children designed to supplant them. To help them.. end. "
Birch looked up at the android wondering where he came from. Birch could tell that this strange android was relatively new, just made into the world.
" Is that why you come? To end the Avengers? " Wanda queried. The android turned around to look at her.
" I've come to save the world. But also yeah. " The android answered with a cheery tone.
They soon traveled back to the Hydra Research Base at the android's request. The android introduced himself as Ultron.
Ultron lead them to the chamber where the scepter was once held. " We'll move out right away. " He surveyed the chamber and everything in it. He raised his hands as if beholding the chamber. " This is a start but there's something we need, to do the real work. " Birch eyed the android with suspicion. Ultron had not directly told them his plan, just gave hints.
" All of these are.. ? " Wanda looked at the machines in the chamber.
" Me. " Ultron answered simply and proudly. He flew over to a hanging chain and pulled. " I have what the Avengers never will. Harmony. They're discordant, they're disconnected. Stark's already got them turning on each other. And when you get inside the rest of their heads- "
Pietro impatiently listened before saying, " Everyone's plan is not to kill them. " Ultron flew towards them with a tilted head.
" And make them maurders. You need patience, " Ultron landed on the floor. Birch took a step back. " Need to see the big picture. "
Pietro's temper flared at the android's words and said, " I don't see the big picture. I have a little picture. " Wanda looked at Pietro as he spoke. Birch remembered the story of how the twins lost everything they loved. " I take it out and look at it everyday. "
" You lost your parents at the bombings. I saw the records. " Ultron confirmed.
" The records are not the picture. " Pietro said.
" Pietro, " Wanda started to warn.
" No please. " Ultron watched Pietro intently. The older twin continued, " We're twelve years old and having dinner the four of us and the first she'll hits the house. It was big, our parents go in and the house comes down. I grab her, " Pietro nodded at Wanda, " roll under the bed and the second shell hits. But it doesn't go off, just sits there in the rubble. Three feet from our faces and on the side of the shell it had painted one word- " Pietro averted his eyes to the floor. Wanda finished for him.
" Stark. " Birch watched Ultron tilt his head.
" We were trapped for two days. "
" Every effort to save us, every shift in the bricks I think- this will set it off. We wait for two days for Tony Stark to kill us. " Wanda's voice held bitterness and pain. Birch didn't make a sound and stood still, he was told this story many times and it always got him transfixed while listening to it. The twins remembered that day vividly.
" I wondered why only you two survived Strucker's experiments. Now I know. I also know where your loyalty lies. " Ultron said to Birch with a knowing look in his red eyes. " We will make it right. We can hurt them. " Ultron eyed Pietro and Birch pointedly. He looked at Wanda. " But you will tear them apart from the inside. " His hand reached out and barely touched Wanda's hair.
Soon they headed to an African shipyard where something called vibranuim was located. Birch listened to men complain and give out orders at the shipyard, the whole place smelled like sweat and machines.
Birch wirelessly shut down the whole shipyards power. He heard the workers shout with confusion and outrage. Flashlights were turned on and people began to yell at each other. A man in an office looking over everyone watched all the men yell. His name was Ulysses Klaue.
Pietro grabbed Wanda and Birch and ran straight to the office. Klaue slowly began to reach for his gun on his desk. He grabbed it and cautiously headed towards the doorway. There was a movement and his finger pulled the trigger, the bullet went flying.
Birch was in front of Wanda and his nanites constructed him a metal glove on his right hand. The boy quickly caught the bullet with ease as Pietro ran past him and restrained Klaue. The older man then saw all of his bullets lined up in a neat row on his desk. Pietro sighed and crossed his arms. Wanda and Birch soon joined his side. Birch's eyes glowed slightly in the dim light
" Strucker's prized pupils. " Klaue sat down in an old chair. He observed the newcomers. " Want a candy? " He offered the plate of sweets. He put it down when no one moved. " Sorry to hear about Strucker. But then he knew what kind of world he was helping to create. Human life on the growth market. " Birch frowned at the words. He didn't know that. He looked over to Pietro and Wanda and could tell they didn't know either. Klaue's dirty face light with realization.
" You didn't know this. Is this your first time intimidating someone? " Klaue mocked them. " I'm afraid that I'm not that afraid. "
That set Wanda into action, she walked closer to Klaue. " Everyone is afraid of something. " Birch took a menacing step towards the older man. Klaue started to speak and Birch stopped walking towards him.
" Cuttlefish. " Klaue confessed. Birch tilted his head at the unexpected answer. As Klaue ranted on about cuttlefish Pietro snatched the plate of candy with his super speed. He had a sweet tooth that he couldn't deny.
" So if you're going to fiddle with my brain and make me see a giant cuttlefish then I know you don't do business. Then I know you're not in charge. " Klaue roughly stood up. " And I only speak to the man in charge. "
Birch saw Ultron fly up from behind the glass.
Soon Klaue was thrown through a glass window and he fell with a scream of pain. Ultron stood above him and said, " There is no man in charge. "
