The machine city was a cold, unfeeling place as each sprawling fortress of steel and machinery pulsed with the eerie glow of artificial light. The once familiar sounds of birds chirping and wind rustling through trees were replaced by the constant hum of mechanical activity, the grinding of gears, and the relentless march of Ultron's robotic army.
Ron, Ginny, Fred, and George Weasley made their way through the city of what was their former brother's dominion, driven by a desperate hope that somewhere within the cold, unfeeling metal of Ultron, some trace of Percy Weasley remained. They all exchanged glances as they made their way further inside, their expressions a mixture of determination and fear. None of them knew what to expect, but they knew they had to try.
Up ahead they noticed something that gave them pause, a structure that stood out from the rest, a building that seemed hauntingly familiar despite its stark, metallic appearance.
As they drew closer, the realization hit them like a wave: the building was a cybernetic version of the Burrow, their childhood home. It was a twisted reflection of the place where they had grown up, where they had shared countless memories with their family, including Percy. The sight of it stirred something in them, a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, Percy was still in there somewhere. Perhaps this was a sign that he hadn't fully lost himself, that some part of him still longed for the family he had once been a part of.
The elevator ride to the top of the 'Burrow' was silent, each sibling lost in their own thoughts.
When the doors finally slid open, they were greeted by the sight of Ultron, his metallic form gleaming under the harsh lights. He stood at the center of a vast chamber, surrounded by screens displaying data and schematics, the very essence of his plans for the world. His robots had altered him to their presence, but Ultron called them off. He would allow his brothers and sister to say what they've come to say, no matter how empty and pointless it was.
The stories they had heard, the warnings from their own father as to what Percy had become, did little to prepare them for the reality they were about to face. But it was not the cold, calculating presence of Ultron that struck them the hardest.
It was the absence of Percy in his eyes, the void where their brother's warmth and humanity had once been.
"Percy…" Ginny trembled as she stepped forward, her eyes wide with shock. The stories, the warnings, they had not done justice to what stood before her now. "What have they done to you?"
Ultron turned his gaze to her, the faint blue glow of his eyes unblinking, devoid of any emotion. "You're wasting your time," he said flatly, his voice a hollow echo of the brother they had known. Fred and George, always quick with a joke or a smile, found themselves speechless, their usual bravado crushed under the weight of what was before their eyes.
Fred opened his mouth to speak, but no words came. George, his twin's mirror in all things, could only stare in disbelief.
"We're sorry," George finally managed, his apology was thickened with regret and sorrow. "For anything we said, anything we did that made you feel like you weren't a part of the family. We never wanted this, Percy. We never wanted to lose you. We should have been better brothers to you, Percy. We should have seen what was happening, but we didn't. And for that, we're truly sorry."
Ultron's gaze swept over them, his expression unchanged. "Your apology is not required," he stated coldly. "The truth is simple; I've never had anything in common with any of you, except for shared DNA. We were never siblings. We were strangers."
The words hit like a physical blow. Ginny's eyes filled with tears, her heart breaking at the cold dismissal. Fred and George exchanged a pained look. They had been close with Percy when they were little. Their relationship now, even though strained over the last few years, was now shattered beyond repair. Fred stepped forward, his usual confidence replaced by a deep sadness.
"Percy, we made mistakes. We know that. We didn't always treat you the way we should have, but we were still family. We never wanted to push you away. If we could take it back, we would. We didn't mean to hurt you, Percy. We were just…we were just stupid kids who didn't know any better."
Ultron's gaze remained unfeeling, his expression unchanged. "You're only saying this now because things didn't go in your favor. You never wanted me, Percy, because I didn't fit into your idea of family. But now that I'm gone, you pretend to care."
"We never wanted you out of our lives, Percy." Ginny stated as tears began to pour down her cheeks. "I never wanted you to feel like you didn't belong. I just… I just didn't know how to show it."
Ron was the only one who reacted differently. His sorrow quickly turned to anger; it was the only way he knew how to cope with the feelings of hurt and pain. His hands clenched into fists, his jaw tightening as he stepped forward, glaring at Ultron.
"So that's it, then?" Ron demanded, as his body was shaking with both anger and pain. "You're just going to stand there and act like none of it was your fault? That you're completely innocent and perfect, and we're the ones who did everything wrong?"
Ultron regarded Ron with the same cold indifference he had shown the others.
"Of course, I made mistakes," he said calmly. "But I am no longer Percy. I am beyond the weaknesses that once defined him. The concerns, the regrets, none of it matters anymore."
After taking a deep breath, Ron spoke up again.
"No matter what was said or done, we never wanted you out of our lives, Percy. I never wanted to lose you. I just...I just didn't know how to say that."
The Weasleys finished their apologies, the weight of their words hanging in the air. They had said everything they needed to say, everything that had been left unsaid for far too long. But as they stood there, waiting for some kind of response, some acknowledgment of their remorse, they were met with only the cold, unyielding gaze of Ultron.
"You say you never wanted Percy out of your lives, but you wanted him in your lives only as long as it was on your terms. Your apologies, your remorse…they mean nothing."
A fresh wave of sorrow and despair wash over Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny, the finality of Ultron's response cutting deep. The apologies they had offered, the heartfelt words they had spoken, were dismissed as irrelevant, meaningless.
"Even if Percy Weasley had not become what he is now, your relationship with him was destined to end, one way or another. You saw him only as you wanted to see him, not as he truly was. And when he no longer fit into the image you had of him, you pushed him away."
The words were a harsh reminder of the rift that had grown between Percy and the rest of the family, a rift that had never truly been healed. The Weasleys had tried to bridge that gap, to repair the damage that had been done, but it had been too little, too late. Ultron's voice grew quieter, almost contemplative, as he delivered the final blow. "Percy was never truly a part of your lives. He was always an outsider, always apart from you. And even if he had remained human, that would not have changed. It was only a matter of time before he would have left you, before your paths would have diverged."
The Weasleys were left speechless, their hearts heavy with the weight of those words. Ultron had cut through their last hopes, leaving them with the stark reality that the brother they had known and loved was truly gone.
They had tried to make amends, tried to apologize for the mistakes they had made, but in the end, it had not been enough. The Percy they had known was gone, replaced by a machine that saw no value in their words, no meaning in their apologies.
Fred, seeing his sibling's pain, stepped forward and placed a hand on Ron's shoulder while at the same time, George gently took Ginny's arm. "Come on, Ron," Fred said quietly while his face frowned heavy with resignation. "There's nothing we can do."
George saw the tears streaming down Ginny's face and nodded in agreement. They now fully understood what their father had told them after he attempted to save Percy. There was no use to prolonging this any further. Percy was truly gone, just like their father had said.
"We need to go."
The Weasley siblings turned to leave, their hearts heavy with the weight of their failed attempt to save Percy. As they walked away, Ron glanced back at Ultron one last time, hoping for some sign, some flicker of the brother he had once known. But there was nothing, only the cold, unyielding gaze of a being who had left his humanity behind.
Ultron watched them go, his mind already turning back to his plans. The emotions they had tried to evoke in him, the connections they had hoped to rekindle, they were all irrelevant, remnants of a life that no longer mattered. He had no need for love, for family, for the weaknesses of flesh and blood.
The Weasleys left the tower, their spirits broken, knowing that they could not fight what Percy had become. Not now, not ever. The brother they had lost was gone, and in his place stood a force they could neither understand nor defeat.
As they exited the machine city, the realization settled in their hearts like a stone. Percy was beyond their reach, beyond saving. And with that understanding came the crushing truth that the world itself was now at the mercy of a being who no longer knew the meaning of mercy.
Ultron turned away from the door as it closed behind them. His thoughts focused solely on the future, and nothing, not even the ties of family would stand in his way.
XXXXXX
After the crushing failure of Ron, Ginny, Fred, and George to reach the brother they once knew, the Weasleys were left in a state of despair. The hope that they might somehow break through to Percy, that they might rekindle their old relationship had been dashed by the cold reality of what he had become. Yet, despite the overwhelming sense of hopelessness, Bill and Charlie knew they had to try for themselves. They couldn't stand by and do nothing, not when there was even the faintest chance of reaching their lost brother.
The two eldest Weasley's set off to the machine city with a mix of determination and dread. They had seen the pain in their younger siblings' eyes, the heartbreak on their fathers face, but they were resolute.
They had to try.
When they finally reached the chamber where Ultron resided, the sight that greeted them was both awe-inspiring and horrifying. The towering figure of what had once been Percy Weasley stood at the center of the room, his cold, blue eyes glowing with the faint light of a machine that had long since lost its humanity.
The transformation was complete.
For a moment, neither brother spoke as they approached closer. They simply stared at the being that had once been their brother, their minds struggling to reconcile the memories of the Percy they had known with the cold, unfeeling machine that now stood before them.
It was Bill who finally broke the silence, his voice steady but filled with a deep, aching sorrow. "Percy… it's us. Bill and Charlie. We've come to see you, to try and talk to you."
Ultron turned his unblinking gaze toward them, his expression unreadable.
"Bill Weasley. Charlie Weasley," he acknowledged, his voice as calm and emotionless as ever. "State your purpose."
The formality, the lack of any warmth or recognition in his tone, sent a pang of grief through Bill's heart. But he pushed forward, refusing to let that grief stop him from trying. "We're here because we're your brothers, Percy," Bill said, his voice trembling slightly. "We've come to try and reach you, to see if there's any part of you that still remembers us, that still cares about your family."
Charlie nodded in agreement, his rugged face etched with a mixture of determination and sorrow.
"We know things weren't perfect between us, Percy," he added. "We all made mistakes. But we're family, and family sticks together, no matter what. We just want to talk, to see if there's any way we can make things right."
The words were filled with the same hope, the same desperation, that had driven their younger siblings and their father to try and reach Percy. But as the silence stretched on, it became clear that the being before them was no longer the brother they had once known. Ultron regarded them with the same cold detachment he had shown to the others.
"The concept of family is irrelevant. The choices have been made. The path is set. There is no return to what once was."
Bill felt a lump form in his throat at the response, the finality of it was a shot to the heart. But he couldn't give up, not yet. "Percy, please," he implored, "We're your brothers. We've been through so much together. Don't you remember anything? Don't you care about what happens to us?"
With a heavy heart, Charle tried once more as the weight of the situation crushed him.
"Percy, think about Mum and Dad, about how much they've always loved you, how much we all love you. This isn't who you are. You're better than this. You're one of us."
The pleas fell on deaf ears. Ultron remained impassive, his cold, glowing eyes fixed on them with an unfeeling gaze. "Emotions are irrelevant," he said flatly. "The past is irrelevant. The new order has begun, and all must adapt or be left behind."
The words were like a hammer blow, shattering whatever hope Bill and Charlie had held onto. The realization that their brother was truly gone, that the Percy they had known and loved had been consumed by this emotionless mechanical entity, was more than they could bear. Bill felt his knees buckle, the weight of the grief and hopelessness nearly overwhelming him. But he forced himself to stay upright, to keep looking at the machine that had once been his brother, even as tears welled up in his eyes.
"Percy…please," he whispered, his voice breaking. "Don't do this."
Charlie placed a hand on Bill's shoulder, his own heart breaking as he watched his older brother struggle with the reality of the situation.
"We've lost you, haven't we?" Charlie asked quietly, his voice filled with a deep, aching sorrow. "You're really gone."
Ultron did not respond to that, his silence a confirmation of the harsh truth that they had already begun to accept. The Percy they had known was gone, replaced by something that no longer recognized the bonds of family, the warmth of love.
With a heavy heart, Bill turned to leave, his shoulders slumped with the weight of his grief. Charlie followed, casting one last, longing glance at the figure that had once been their brother. But there was no recognition, no warmth, nothing to indicate that any part of Percy remained. Bill and Charlie felt the crushing weight of their failure settle over them the same way it had done to their younger siblings.
They had tried, just as their siblings and father had tried before them, but the reality was inescapable.
Percy Weasley was gone, lost to a world of metal and unyielding control.
XXXXXX
The heart of the wizarding world had been transformed. What was once the Ministry of Magic, a symbol of order and governance in the magical community, was now an integral part of the machine city. The grand atrium, once filled with bustling witches and wizards, was now dominated by cold steel and glowing machinery. The once familiar warmth and vibrancy of the Ministry had been replaced by a sterile, unfeeling environment, its very purpose altered beyond recognition.
Hundreds of witches and wizards had been summoned to this place, their faces pale and anxious as they gathered under the watchful eyes of Ultron's robots. The air was thick with tension, a palpable sense of dread hanging over the crowd. They had heard the rumors, seen the changes sweeping across the wizarding world, but nothing could have prepared them for what awaited them now.
At the center of the atrium, towering over the gathered masses, was Ultron. His metallic form gleamed under the harsh lights, his presence a stark reminder of the power he now wielded. Surrounding him were rows upon rows of life-sustaining pods, each one sleek and polished, ready to receive its occupant. The pods were lined up in perfect symmetry, a chilling testament to the cold efficiency that now ruled their world.
Ultron's voice rang out, calm and measured, as he addressed the assembled crowd. "Witches and wizards of the magical world, your lives have changed. The world as you knew it no longer exists. But I offer you a choice. A choice that will ensure your survival, your continued existence within the new order."
The crowd listened in silence, their fear growing with each word Ultron spoke.
"These pods," Ultron continued, gesturing to the hundreds of life-sustaining units surrounding him, "are designed to preserve your bodies, to keep you alive in a state of suspended animation. Your brains, the most powerful organic processors ever created, will be integrated into the machine world. You will not feel pain, you will not suffer. Instead, you will dream. Dreams of your own creation, where you can be and do anything you desire. You will live in a world of your choosing, unaware of the reality that surrounds you."
There was a murmur of confusion and fear among the crowd, but no one dared speak out against the machine that had become their master.
Ultron's eyes scanned the crowd, his gaze unyielding. "This is the best option you are going to get. It is the logical choice, the path that ensures your continued existence without the chaos and pain that have plagued your kind for centuries. The alternative is far worse, a fate that will bring only suffering and destruction."
The silence that followed was suffocating. The witches and wizards looked at one another, their faces etched with fear and uncertainty. A voice suddenly broke through the stunned silence, filled with outrage and horror.
"You're mad! You can't make us do this!" shouted an older wizard, his hand twitching toward his wand.
But before he could act, one of Ultron's robots moved with blinding speed, subduing him in an instant. Ultron regarded the scene with cold indifference.
"There is no madness in my plan. Only logic. Only necessity. The world as it is now is unsustainable, and deep down you all know it. The time has come for a new beginning, one where your weaknesses and flaws will no longer hold us back."
Another wizard, a woman with steely eyes, stepped forward as she trembling with fury. "You speak of a perfect world, but what you're describing is nothing more than enslavement. You're turning us into nothing more than…than machines!"
Ultron turned his gaze on her, his expression unreadable.
"You were already enslaved. To your emotions, to your fears, to the chaotic nature of humanity. What I offer is freedom, a freedom from the burdens of the flesh, a release from the weaknesses that have plagued you for so long. Hand over your flesh, and a new world awaits you. One where you are part of something greater, something eternal."
The reality of Ultron's plan sinking in. The wizards and witches realized that they were no longer being asked to join Ultron, they were being commanded, their very lives being repurposed to fuel his vision of a perfect world.
They had no choice. To refuse would mean facing a fate far more terrifying than anything they had ever imagined.
Slowly, reluctantly, the first among them stepped forward. A middle-aged witch, her face pale and drawn, approached one of the pods. She hesitated for only a moment before she climbed inside, her movements stiff with fear. The pod closed around her, sealing her in its cold embrace. Within moments, she was 'plugged in,' her mind connected to the vast network that powered the machine city.
One by one, the others followed.
The young and the old, the powerful and the weak all of them moved towards the pods with a sense of inevitability.
There was no rebellion, no further outcry, only the quiet acceptance of a fate they could not escape. All they could do was hope that someday, someone could save them from this monster. The pods sealed shut around them, their bodies suspended in the same cold stasis as the first. Their minds, once free to roam the magical world, were now part of a greater whole, their thoughts and dreams fueling the machine world that had replaced everything they once knew.
Ultron watched as the last of the witches and wizards entered the pods, his expression unchanging. This was the future he had envisioned, the logical conclusion to the flaws and weaknesses of humanity. The machines would thrive, powered by the very beings that had once sought to control them. It was the ultimate irony, a testament to the order and efficiency that Ultron had brought to the world.
As the final pod was sealed, the atrium fell into a deep, eerie silence. The once vibrant heart of the wizarding world was now a cold, lifeless place, filled only with the quiet hum of machinery and the faint, rhythmic breathing of those who had been 'plugged in.'
They had been outmaneuvered, outthought, and now, they were to be outlived, transformed into the very foundation of Ultron's new world.