In the heart of the shattered city streets, a silver-haired boy moved with quick purpose, distributing whatever essentials he could get his hands on—medicine, clothing, necessities that had become scarce amidst the destruction. His expression was cocky yet soft as a young blonde girl stopped in front of him. With a sly smirk, he pulled a small ball from his bag and handed it to her.

"This is for your brother," he said with a lighthearted grin. Then, reaching into another bag, he held up a colourful dress. "And this... is not for your brother."

A brunette, seated nearby, glanced up, a gentle smile on her lips as she watched the playful exchange. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at the familiar scene, knowing her friend would never change his flirtatious ways.

"Is every girl in Sokovia getting a dress from Paris?" His twin teased, her accent thick as she passed him, her green eyes lined in dark makeup. Her gaze briefly lingered on the dress, and she let a slight frown cross her face. "At least Gertie's looked warm," she added, a trace of annoyance in her voice.

The brunette with the shawl reached out, her hand gently leaving its warm haven to take the younger girl's hand, pulling her to her feet. "I was wondering where you'd gone off to," she murmured, her smile tender as the younger girl intertwined their fingers.

"And I was wondering why you were wasting your time with him," the girl replied, a teasing spark in her eyes. The silver-haired boy caught up with the two girls, flashing a mischievous grin. "You're just jealous you're not getting a dress," he retorted playfully.

His sister stopped, her hand still holding the brunette's, making the girl stop with her. She fixed Pietro with a serious gaze. "If you keep stealing, you're going to get shot," she warned, her accent growing sharper with intensity.

Pietro rolled his eyes dismissively, but his sister's expression remained steady.

"She means it," Lexi added her own accent a subtle contrast to the setting. Wanda swatted her brother's arm lightly. "At your speed, nothing can touch you, but standing still—"

"Wanda said wait," Pietro cut in, his face suddenly serious as he turned to face his sister. "I'm waiting. I don't know for what. We had Stark helpless. All these years, and—"

Their conversation was interrupted by a scream. The blonde girl from earlier called out for her brother, pulling the attention of the three young adults.

"Where did you go?" she asked. "The church," the young boy answered, looking between his sister and the three adults with wide eyes. "The man said you need to come to the church." Wanda's brows furrowed. "What man?" she asked.

"The Iron Man," he replied simply.

The twins exchanged a loaded glance, then turned their gaze to Lexi, whose eyes reflected a ray of hope as she stared at the boy. Under their intense scan, Lexi shifted her gaze and dragged Wanda towards the building.

As they entered the church, a faint echo of tension filled the air. Wanda spoke up, her voice strong. "Talk. And if you're wasting our time—"

She stopped as a low, mechanical voice answered, echoing from the shadows. "Did you know this church is in the exact center of the city? The elders decreed it so everyone would be equally close to God. I like that. The geometry of belief."

The voice drew their attention to a cloaked figure, his tone calm yet laced with haunting confidence. Wanda edged forward, her eyes narrowing as she tried to peer into his mind. Beside her, Lexi felt a tug at her heart, anxiety creeping up her chest.

The figure seemed almost amused. "You two are wondering why you can't look inside my head?" Wanda exchanged a quick glance with Lexi, who stood perplexed. The twins had never really known why Hydra had taken her, and now, their eyes were filled with questions. Wanda's gaze returned to the man. "Sometimes it's hard, but sooner or later, every man shows himself."

The figure rose, letting the cloak fall away to reveal his true form—a humanoid robot, towering and clad entirely in metal, moving with an unnervingly human-like grace.

"No, I'm sure they do. But you needed something more than a man," the metal figure continued as he descended the steps toward them. "That's why you let Stark take the sceptre."

Wanda's gaze hardened. "I didn't expect... but I saw Stark's fear," she replied, her voice thick with bitterness. "I knew it would control him, make him self-destruct."

The robot circled the room with a fluid ease, his words laced with sardonic wisdom. "Everyone creates the thing they dread. Men of peace create engines of war, invaders create Avengers, and people create... smaller people. Uh, children! Lost the word there." His voice lingered with strange humour. "Children, designed to supplant them, to help them... end."

Lexi glanced at him, confusion etched on her face. "Is that why you've come here?" she asked, stepping closer. "To end the Avengers?"

Ultron's piercing eyes locked onto her. "I've come to save the world. But also, yeah." He jerked his hand, motioning for them to follow.

Pietro shot Wanda a questioning look. "Is this what we've been waiting for?" he muttered, skeptical. "Another one of Stark's machines?"

Lexi shook her head as they followed. "Stark didn't create this one... at least not on purpose," Wanda explained, keeping her mind on Lexi, who walked beside her in silent anticipation.

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Inside the hidden chamber, walls lined with technology hummed softly. Pietro's voice broke the silence. "Why are we here?" Ultron's gaze remained cool. "This is where the fun begins."

Robots, fully built and awaiting orders, lined the space, creating an eerie army of waiting figures. Ultron explained, his voice filled with chilling certainty. "We'll move out right away. This is a start, but there's something we need to begin the real work."

Lexi stared at the robots, the realization setting in. "All of these are...?"

"Me," Ultron replied without hesitation. His metallic voice held a smug satisfaction. "I have what the Avengers never will. Harmony. They're discordant, disconnected. Stark's already got them turning on each other, and when you get inside their heads..." He gestured to Wanda and Lexi. Pietro interrupted, wary. "Everyone's plan is not to kill them."

"Exactly," Ultron agreed. "And making them martyrs? You need patience. You need to see the big picture." Pietro huffed. "I don't see the big picture. I have a little picture, and I look at it every day."

Ultron's tone shifted, almost sympathetic. "You lost your parents in the bombings," he began. "I've seen the records." "The records are not the picture." Wanda's hand tightened on Pietro's, asking him to stop. "No, please." Ultron waved at Wanda, wanting to hear what they had to say. A pang of old pain crossed her face as he recalled the past.

"We were ten years old, watching TV—the four of us. The first shell hit two floors below. Our parents... gone. I grabbed her and rolled under the bed, and the second shell hits, but doesn't go off. It just... sits there in the rubble, three feet from our faces. Painted on the side of the shell was one word."

"Stark," she finished, her voice bitter. "We were trapped for two days. Every sound, every shift in the debris, I thought... this will set it off. We wait for two days for Tony Stark to kill us" Wanda finished bitterly. "I know what they are" Pietro commented.

Ultron's gaze softened. "I wondered why you two survived Strucker's experiments. Now I don't." His red eyes flicked to Lexi as if searching for something beyond words.

"You and I can hurt them" He turned to Wanda, his metallic hand stopping just short of her face. "You and her will tear them apart." With that, he strode away, leaving them alone with their questions and his chilling plan lingering in the air.

Ultron walked to the center of the room and paused, his voice echoing. "Before we can begin, there's something I need to retrieve... something crucial to create my vision." He glanced over his shoulder, addressing them.

"We still don't know your name," Wanda said pointedly. Ultron turned a faint glint of amusement in his red eyes. "Oh yes, where are my manners? You can call me Ultron."

The metallic figure's stare lingered, especially on Lexi, a silent tension hanging in the air. The twins exchanged an uncertain look, then turned to her, as if waiting for answers to the questions Ultron's presence had stirred.

Lexi met their eyes, hesitating for a moment before looking away. She could feel Ultron's gaze searing into her, searching for a truth buried deep. Taking a steadying breath, she finally spoke, her voice calm yet resolute.

"I'm a telepath." The revelation left both siblings momentarily stunned, the weight of her words sinking in as Ultron looked on, a calculated interest flickering in his red gaze.