"In we go," Ultron prompted as they entered the ship. Wanda hesitated for a moment, her fingers instinctively reaching out for Lexi's. "Stay close," she murmured softly, her nerves evident in the way her voice wavered. Lexi gave her a small smile, brushing her fingertips across Wanda's knuckles before stepping closer.

Wanda pulled her hair up, sighing as she tried to set her nerves aside. Pietro noticed his sister's tension and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "It'll be fine," he whispered, his voice calm and steady. Wanda nodded, though her free hand lingered near Lexi's, reluctant to let go of her completely.

"You know what to do," the metal man said with authority. Wanda glanced at Lexi one more time, her green eyes flickering with concern. Lexi gave her a slight nod, offering quiet reassurance. Reluctantly, Wanda let go and turned to gather a ball of crackling red energy in her palm, throwing it at the control panel. The power shut off with a bright sparkle.

"There you are. This way, right through that door," Ultron pointed at a door a few yards away, his tone patronizing. He started forward, and the twins followed, but not before Wanda reached out again, briefly clutching Lexi's hand like it was her lifeline.

"Come on," Wanda said softly, her tone almost pleading. "Stay close." Lexi stepped toward her, but Ultron's metallic arm shot out, blocking her path. "Not you," he said firmly, his red eyes narrowing.

"Why not?" Wanda demanded, her voice sharp with protest as she turned back to face him. Her grip on Lexi's hand tightened, her instincts flaring. Pietro looked between the two girls frowning, clearly uneasy.

Ultron's gaze bore into Lexi, calculating. "She stays behind. I need her... for something else," he said, his voice dripping with vague intent.

Wanda's glare hardened, her fingers refusing to release Lexi's. "No. She comes with us.". "Your brother needs you," Ultron said coolly, gesturing for Pietro to move ahead. "She will be fine". Lexi gently pried Wanda's hand from her own, her thumb brushing lightly over the back of it. "Go," she whispered, her tone calm but firm. "I'll be okay."

Wanda's eyes softened, but her reluctance was palpable. She stepped closer to Lexi, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face and whispering, "Be careful." Lexi gave her a faint smile. "Always."

With visible hesitation, Wanda finally let Pietro guide her toward the door. She cast one last glance over her shoulder, her worry etched into every feature. When the twins were out of earshot, Ultron turned to Lexi, his gaze sharp and assessing, like he was peeling back her defences layer by layer.

"You're different from them," Ultron started, his voice carrying a strange admiration. "You're stronger." "What are you talking about?" Lexi asked, confusion flashing across her face. Ultron tilted his head, observing her closely. "Pardon me. Do you know why I put you aside?" He asked, and Lexi shook her head, wary but curious, the absence of Wanda's presence left her chest feeling uncomfortably tight. "I need you to distract Stark. Hurt him, make him disconnect completely."

"Why me?" she demanded, crossing her arms in defiance. "What better than his daughter to do that? You know, he thinks you're dead." Ultron's words were heavy, and Lexi's eyes narrowed, her jaw tightening.

Her lips pressed together as she finally looked at him. "What!?" she managed, the shock threading through her voice.

"He does. He was told you died. He didn't believe it at first, but when he saw your body... he lost it." Thousands of thoughts flooded Lexi's mind, memories and emotions colliding violently. She fought to push them down, to keep control. "I'm not fighting for you, Ultron," she said, her voice steely. "I'm not fighting for something I don't see worth fighting for. I'm not your weapon, and neither are the twins."

"You're right. You're not my weapon, or anyone else's," he replied, almost conciliatory. "Forgive me for that, but I need you and the twins," he continued, watching her reaction. Lexi rolled her eyes, unimpressed. "And you think we need you?"

"You do," he affirmed confidently. "I am not helping you, Ultron." But you'll stay," he affirmed. You'll stay for those two in there. You will stay because you know she's dangerous," he added, his tone challenging.

With a swift motion, Lexi lifted her hand, and purple energy began swirling around her fingers, glowing with intensity. Ultron was suddenly hoisted into the air, his metal body restrained as a small ball of energy flickered in her palm.

"I'll rip you apart if you say that one more time," she threatened, her voice low but unwavering. Ultron struggled against the energy, finally raising his hands in surrender. "Forgive me." Satisfied, Lexi let the purple strands dissipate, releasing him. Without another word, Ultron flew off, leaving her in a tense silence.

Thoughts tumbled through her mind, piecing together fragments of what she knew. We're in Africa, and he wants... vibranium. Wakanda, maybe? Unless... it's stolen. The idea was interrupted as Wanda approached her, worry evident in her eyes. "You okay?" Wanda whispered, placing a hand on Lexi's arm.

Lexi nodded, offering a slight smile to reassure her. She could sense Wanda's nerves, feel the anxiety that simmered just beneath the surface.

They caught up with Ultron, who pressed a button, and the floor began to sink, revealing a hidden room lined with canisters. Ultron gazed at the stockpile, picking up a gleaming piece of vibranium. "On this rock, I will build my church. Vibranium," he stated reverently before tossing it to Pietro. "It came out great. Worth billions." Ultron chuckled, the gears in his head whirring ominously.

As one of his assistants checked his phone, Lexi's eyes narrowed. Where is he getting all this money? she wondered, a sense of unease stirring within her. "It's all in your dummy holdings," Ultron mused. "Finance is so weird, but as I always say, keep your friends rich, and your enemies rich, and wait to find out which is which."

"Stark," the assistant muttered, and Ultron's eyes narrowed, a flash of anger evident. "What?" Ultron asked, voice dripping with irritation. "I'm not one of Stark's puppets! Look at me—do I look like Iron Man? Stark is NOTHING!" he roared, grabbing the man's arm. The assistant scrambled back, but Wanda quickly restrained him with a flick of her hand, eyes darkened with focus.

"You think I'm Stark's puppet?" Ultron snarled. "I am NOT Stark." And with that, he sliced the man's arm clean off, only realizing his fury too late. "I'm... sorry. I'm sure that's going to be okay. Just don't compare me with Stark. Stark is a sickness!"

Before anyone could react further, three Avengers appeared. "Ah, Junior," one of them called, their tone laced with irony. "You're gonna break your old man's heart." "If I have to," Ultron responded coldly.

"No one has to break anything," Captain America cut in. "Clearly, you've never made an omelet," he quipped. "He beat me by one second," Tony replied, his voice steady. Pietro stepped forward, his usual smirk in place. "Mr. Stark. Is it what? Comfortable? Like old times?" he taunted, nodding toward the ship brimming with weaponry.

"That was never my life," Tony answered, his gaze steady. "What was your life?" Wanda interjected, her voice tinged with anger. "You three can still walk away from this," Captain America offered, his tone firm.

"Oh, we will," Wanda assured with a slight grin. "I know you've suffered," Steve began gently. "The audacity of this guy," Lexi whispered, rolling her eyes and making Wanda stifle a smile. "Agh, Captain America. God's righteous man, pretending you could live without a war." Ultron sneered. "I can't physically throw up in my mouth, but..."

"If you believe in peace, let us keep it," Thor interrupted sternly. "I think you're confusing peace with quiet." Tony's voice cut through, a mix of challenge and curiosity. "What's the vibranium for?". "Glad you asked, because I wanted to take this time to explain my evil plan," Ultron sneered, blasting Tony backward. Tony pushed himself off the wall, rocketing forward. Ultron shot up, ramming into him.

In a flash, Pietro blurred past, landing a hit on Thor, while Steve fought off a bot with a quick move. Lexi summoned a ball of energy, launching it at a charging attacker and sending it flying.

"All of them!" Klaw screamed, his voice piercing as the room erupted with gunfire. Ultron turned to Wanda, a twisted grin on his face. "Time for some mind games," he muttered, prompting Wanda to slip away, with Lexi following.

The tension in the air was suffocating, but it didn't stop Wanda from instinctively reaching for Lexi's hand as they walked. Lexi didn't pull away. Instead, she laced their fingers together, squeezing softly, silently reassuring she was there.

"Lexi," Wanda murmured, her voice breaking the silence. "I just... I need you to trust me on this." Lexi glanced at her, green eyes softening as she noticed the flicker of uncertainty in Wanda's gaze. "I do," she said quietly. "You know I do. But I'm not helping him."

Wanda stopped walking, tugging Lexi to a rest as well. "This isn't just for him," she said, her voice tinged with desperation. "It's for Pietro... for me. We need this." Lexi tilted her head, studying her, her expression still gentle but wary. "Why? Why is it so important to you?"

Wanda hesitated, her grip on Lexi's hand tightening as if afraid to let go. "Because we have a chance to get revenge," she admitted finally, her voice hardening slightly. "Against your father." The words hit like a slap, and Lexi took a step back, her hand slipping from Wanda's grasp. "Revenge? On my dad?" Her voice cracked, with a mix of disbelief and pain.

"Lexi, you don't understand—" Wanda began, reaching for her again, but Lexi shook her head. "No, I don't understand," Lexi interrupted, her voice rising. "He's my father, Wanda! Why would you even think I'd want to hurt him?!"

Wanda flinched, but Lexi didn't stop. "I've told you, I've explained a thousand times—the weapons weren't my dad's fault! They were sold to terrorists by Obadiah, not him! Why do you never listen to me?! I'm telling you the truth! But you—" She stopped herself, her breath shaking as she looked at her, feeling the distance grow between them. "Why couldn't you just trust me?"

Wanda's expression softened, guilt flickering across her face. "I thought... you were mad at him," she said hesitantly. "Of course I'm mad!" Lexi exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. "But that doesn't mean I want to see him dead! He's still my dad. He raised me!"

Wanda bit her lip, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She stepped closer, her hands hovering near Lexi's shoulders. "Lexi, please. Just listen to me." Lexi hesitated, her breath shallow, but her voice softened. "Then explain, Wanda. Help me understand why you're doing this."

Wanda hesitated for a long moment, and Lexi's stomach churned at the silence. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, Wanda confessed, "He thought you were dead. Isn't that enough?"

Lexi froze, her green eyes narrowing as her heart began to race.

"How do you know that?" Wanda looked away, her hesitation dragging out the moment. Lexi's voice sharpened, though it remained quiet. "Wanda," she pressed, her tone both pleading and demanding, "how do you know that?"