Chapter 6
Wanda continued to watch of the Spider as Ultron worked on his new body and Peter kept trying to talk to her but she chose to ignore him. He attempted again and again, trying to change her mind. He tried being nice, he tired being mean. He tried to relate to her and he tried to goad her. He complimented her and insulted her. He was calm collective and then screaming and shouting Nothing seemed to be working she just sat there in silence swapping shifts with Pietro and he was no better to try on. He would just retaliate with some bullshit answer like ‘what would you know,’ and dismiss Peter, Pietro didn’t even try to talk to Peter and Peter was getting so bored. Why hadn’t Ultron killed him yet? What logic is there for Peter to be left alive unless Ultron had a plan to use him against the Avengers.
“Stop that.” Wanda blurted out.
“What?” Peter hadn’t be doing anything.
“You’re humming.”
“I am?” Peter didn’t even realise.
“Yes. ‘I want it that way’. It’s annoying.” She told him.
“Really? ‘I Want It That Way’? Really, Backstreet Boys?” Peter laughed to himself. “To be fair though, song is catchy.” There was a long silence between the two, Wanda going back to ignoring him. So he tried being nice and he tried being mean, lets try annoying. “You are… my fire,” this made Wanda look at him again as he started the beginning of the song. “The one…desire, Believe when I say-“
“What are you doing?” Wanda asked but Peter ignored her and continued his singing.
“I want it that way,”
“Stop it.” Peter ignored her again. His singing getting slightly louder as he continued.
“But we are two worlds apart, Can't reach to your heart,”
“Why are you singing?”
“When you say, That I want it that way,”
“Stop singing!” Wanda shouted tired of being ignored.
“Tell me why!” Peter shouted back at the same level, “Ain't nothin' but a heartache, tell me why! Ain't nothin' but a mistake, tell me why! I never wanna hear you say, I want it that way.” And before Peter could continue the song Wanda covered his mouth with her hand.
“Stop singing.” He said back something but it was in audible and came out as a hum so she removed her hand. “What?”
“I said shit is catchy. Hard not to sing.” Peter said smiling at her. He finally got a reaction out of her. She rolled her eyes at him and went to sit down again. “What else am I supposed to do? I’m bored. Normally with a kidnapping I’m interrogate or tortured. This is just dull!” She just stayed silent again. “And you won’t even talk to me. Silent treatment, very childish.” She scoffed a this.
“I’m being childish? You just at there and sang because ‘shit is catchy’ and to be annoying and I’m childish.”
“Yes you are. Just because you know I’m right.” He stated.
“Right? About what?”
“The fact that you and Pietro shacking up with Ultron was a terrible idea.”
“Shacking up?-“
“He will betray you, Wanda. He may be offering you revenge but he has a bigger picture in mind. I’ve been doing this for so long now Wanda and they always have a bigger plan. He is using you and Pietro!” Peter said in a hushed yell. Wanda just stared at him, opening her mouth and closing it a few times before actually speaking.
“You don’t know that-“
“You both hate Tony so much, Ultron is an A.I. created by Tony! Do you know what that means Wanda? Apart of Tony’s personality is in Ultron. The worst parts, the narcissist, the child who’s always borderline away from a tantrum, the 'my way or the high way' asshole! You saw how he cut Klaus arm off after he compared Ultron to Tony! He is insane, Wanda! He-“
“I’ve heard enough. I’m done listening to you!” And with that she stormed out of the room and Peter hung his head in defeat.
“Welp, that went as well as expected.” He muttered to himself.
"It's beautiful. The Vibranium atoms aren't just compatible with the tissue cells, they're binding them. And SHIELD never even thought..."
"The most versatile substance on the planet and they used it to make a Frisbee. Typical of humans, they scratch the surface and never think to look within." Ultron commented as he broke open the sceptre's blue gem and the smaller yellow gem that was inside floated out and landed in his hand. He moved to the Cradle and placed the gem in the head of the body being constructed.
"Cellular cohesion will take a few hours, but we can initiate the consciousness stream. We're uploading your cerebral matrix...now." Doctor Cho explained as she made sure he was connected to the Cradle properly. Wanda and Pietro joined them, Wanda seemed to be drawn to the Cradle as Doctor Cho explained this. Wanda looked at the cradle curiously.
"I can read him. He is... dreaming."
"I wouldn't call it dreams. It's Ultron's base consciousness, informational noise. Soon-"
"How soon?" Ultron cut her off. "I'm not being pushy."
"We're imprinting a physical brain. There are no shortcuts. Even if your magic gem is..." Doctor Cho explained but her voice drifted out as Wanda started to read Ultron's mind, she saw a vision of global annihilation and the horrific scene in her leaders head caused her to scream and wince in pain alarming everyone.
"He was right..." Wanda muttered to herself. She looked to Ultron, "How could you?"
"How could I what?"
"You said we would destroy the Avengers, make a better world." She told him accusatorially.
"It will be better." Ultron tried to assure her.
"When everyone is dead?"
"That is not-! The human race will have every opportunity to improve." Ultron tried to explain.
"And if they don't?" Pietro asked.
"Ask Noah." Ultron simply added.
"You're a madman. The Маленький павучок was right."
"There were more than a dozen extinction level events before even the dinosaurs got theirs. When the Earth starts to settle, God throws a stone at it and believe me, he's winding up. We have to evolve. There's no room for the weak." He told them as he creepily caressed the Cradle again.
"And who decides who's weak?" Pietro asked Ultron and while he was distracted Wanda broke the scepter's hold off of Doctor Cho
"Life. Life always decides." Ultron gets distracted as one of his Legion robots sent him some information. "There's incoming. The Quinjet. We have to move."
"That's not a problem." Doctor Cho told him as she cancelled the upload of Ultron's consciousness. Ultron sighs in frustration before blasting Cho causing Wanda and Pietro run off.
"Ah, wait, guys!" Ultron shouted for them but they were long gone, his robots started blasting Cho's technicians. "They'll understand. When they see they'll understand. I just need a little more time." He muttered to himself as he unplugged himself from the Cradle.
"You have to go get the Spider!" Wanda told Pietro as they got away.
"What? No!"
"Ultron will kill him!"
"So what?"
"Pietro. He is good. I saw into his head, he's not like Stark." Pietro pondered for a moment considering it but he then shook his head.
"I'm sorry... no its too dangerous to go back."
"But-"
"You heard Ultron. The Avengers were about to show up. He will be fine."
Steve ran inside the lab and found Cho wounded on the ground. "Doctor Cho!" He exclaimed as he rushed to her side to tend to her wounds.
"He's uploading himself into the body.
"Where?" Steve made a move to get up but she grabbed ahold of him.
"The real power is inside the Cradle. The gem, its power is uncontainable. You can't just blow it up. You have to get the Cradle to Stark." She gasped out.
"First I have to find it."
"Go." Steve listens snd starts to head for the exit.
"Steve!" Someone yelled from the room beside him, he could see who it was because the room had oblique glass. "Steve is that you?"
"Kid?" Steve asked back.
"Yeah its me. I'm tied up can you help?" Steve pushed open the door to the room and found Peter tied to a chair in the corner.
"Thank God you're alive kid." He told him as he rushed over and broke his restraints. "Why didn't Ultron take you?"
"Probably didn't have time to deal with me. Too much baggage with the Cradle and the Maximoff twins running out on him."
"Did you guys copy Doctor Cho's info?" Steve asked over the comms as he and Peter rushed out of the centre.
"We did." Barton assured him.
"I got a private jet taking off, across town, no manifest. That could be him." Natasha suggested.
"There. It's the truck from the lab. Right above you, Cap. On the loop by the bridge. It's them. I got three with the Cradle, one in the cab. I could take out the driver."
"Negative!" Steve told him as he and Peter made their way up to the street above. "If that truck crashes, the gem could level the city. We need to draw out Ultron." Steve runs to the other end of the road and sees the truck coming from the road underneath. He makes the sudden move to jump onto the roof of the truck without telling Peter. Ultron started blasting the truck door as Steve attempted to enter. "Well, he's definitely unhappy! I'm gonna try and keep him that way." Peter rushed to follow, jumping off onto a garbage stuck. He started to go from vehicle to vehicle to catch up.
"You're not a match for him, Cap."
"Thanks, Barton." Steve replied sarcastically. Peter saw Ultron blast Steve as he tried to enter the truck, Steve landed on the car behind them and as Peter got closer he saw Steve manage to get back onto the truck's roof. He watches as him and Ultron start to fight, Steve threw his shield into Ultron's chest where it got lodged and Ultron proceeded to rip it out and throw it into the street.
"Crap." Peter said to himself as he jumped off the current truck he was on to grab the shield. Peter saw the Quinjet swoop down and out dropped Natasha on a bike. "Hey Nat, think I can get a lift? Need the momentum to catch up" Peter asked over comms as she approached.
"Hop on." She replied back, only slowing down a little for him to hop on the back.
"They're heading under the overpass, I've got no shot."
"Which way?"
"Hard right... Now." Nat took a harsh turn into a side street.
"Ah... this is more like it. Things for me to swing from. I'm going to try and catch up and get the shield to Cap." Nat gave him a nod before he shot a web to one of the buildings and flied off.
"Out of the way! Coming through! Sorry, coming through!" Peter heard Nat shouting to pedestrians as he swung past her. He could see Steve continuing his battle with Ultron on the truck, Ultron sent Steve flying off the truck into a car with a pulse. He then sent another pulse into the ground and forced it to break and rise up causing a bunch of cars to flip and crash. Steve attempted top out run the cars so Peter swung down beside him and grabbed his wrist lifting him up and then threw him into Ultron so he can continue the fight. He then built up so more momentum swinging a few more then went in for his own attack on Ultron. He and Steve traded hits with Ultron dodging and weaving as he tired to focus on the two in the fight he was able to pass Steve his shield back.
"Clint, can you draw out the guards?" Peter heard Nat ask over comms.
"Let's find out." Barton swings the Quinjet around and fired on Ultron which lead him to send his sentries to go after him. Somewhere in the city Wanda and Pietro watch on a small screen as Steve and Peter take on Ultron. Wanda's eye fixate on the small figure that is Peter on the screen, a small bit of relief to see he was somewhat safe, well not safe but more importantly alive. Peter and Steve continued their fight with Ultron, Steve managed to throw him into one of the pillars they drove by. Ultron started to fly and rushed Steve which Steve prepared for and turned the wight and power Ultron attacked with and tackled him into the train leaving Peter on the truck with the Cradle, the train was going to fast for Peter to catch up.
"They're heading back towards you. So whatever you're going to do, do it now." Barton told them.
I'm going in, Cap can you keep him occupied?"
"What do you think I've been doing?" Cap responded back over comms. Natasha jumped in the truck and Peter noticed the Iron Legions were heading back, he attempted to web them up but they dodged the webbing and ignored him and flew to the lower part of the truck. It then started to lift off the ground and tilted back. Peter would've fallen off if it wasn't for his powers. "Shit shit shit." He repeated to himself as he watch the
"The package is airborne. I have a clean shot- Spidey get off the truck!
"Do you think I want to be on here!" Peter shouted over the comms.
"I am still in the truck."
"What the hell are you...?"
"Just be ready, I'm sending the package to you. Spider-Man hop on when you see it."
"How do you want me to take it?"
"Uhh, you might wish you hadn't asked that." She tells him and then explains how to prepare for it, he adjust the quintet and readied to catch the Cradle and Peter get ready to jump onto it.
"I lost him! He's headed your way." Steve yelled over the comms.
"Nat, we gotta go." Barton told her. Peter sees the Cradle sliding out so he made his jump lading right in front of Natasha's face. The Cradle drops perfectly into Quinjet but as it slid in Peter spider-sense went off and he turned to see Natasha's foot being grabbed by Ultron and she was pulled away right in front of him.
"Nat!" Peter screamed but he continued sliding with the Cradle and hit the wall. He shot a web but it was too late they were gone.
"Nat! Cap, you see Nat?"
"If you have the package, get it to Stark!"
"Do you have eyes on Nat?" Clint asked again.
"Go!" Clint reluctantly left, flying the Cradle and Peter back to Avengers Tower.
"Anything on Nat?"
"Haven't heard. But she's alive just like Peter was when he was taken," Tony told Bruce nodding to Peter who was currently sitting in the corner resting, "or Ultron'd be rubbing our faces in it."
"This is sealed tight." Clint grunted out as he jumped off the Cradle after his attempt to pry it open.
"We're going to need to access the program, break it down from within."
Tony turned to Clint and asked, "Any chance Natasha might leave you a message, outside the internet, old school spy stuff?"
"There's some nets I can cast. Yeah, alright. I'll find her." Clint told them as he left the room.
"I can work on tissue degeneration, if you can fry whatever operational system Cho implanted." Bruce told Tony as he pressed a few things on the Cradles monitor.
"Yeah, about that." he said as he gave Bruce a look.
"No." Bruce told Tony
"What?" Peter asked but was ignored.
"You have to trust me."
"Kinda don't.
"Our ally? The guy protecting the military's nuclear codes? I found him." Tony flicked his wrist with a small device in it and a hologram of JARVIS' conciseness appeared.
"Hello, Dr. Banner, Mr. Parker." JARVIS greeted them.
"Ultron didn't go after JARVIS cause he was angry. He attacked him because he was scared of what he can do. So JARVIS went underground. Okay? Scattered, dumped his memory. But not his protocols. He didn't even know he was in there, until I pieced him together." Tony explained.
"So, you want me to help you put JARVIS into this thing?"
"No, of course not!" Tony exclaimed but Peter knew he wasn't finished. "I want to help you put JARVIS in this thing." Bruce sighed and shook his head but stayed silent so Tony took the opportunity and continued talking, "We're out of my field here. You know bio-organics better than anyone."
"And you just assume that JARVIS' operational matrix can beat Ultron's?"
"JARVIS has been beating him from inside without knowing it. This is the opportunity, we can create Ultron's perfect self, without the homicidal glitches he thinks are his winning personality. We have to."
"What about the morality of it, Tony? You created Ultron and that went badly how do you know it won't go just as badly?" Peter asked them, looking between the two.
"But we didn't create Ultron, not from scratch like I created JARVIS. Yes we created a murder bot for sure. But we used the gem in the sceptre, something we hadn't studied enough. This time will be different Pete."
"I believe it's worth a go." JARVIS announced to them.
"Are you sure JARVIS? Theres no going back from this. I don't even think you'll be you afterwards." Peter said concerned.
"Thank you for the concern Mr. Parker, but yes I do believe this to be the best course of action."
"See!" Tony exclaimed to Bruce as he gestured to JARVIS.
"No, I'm in a loop! I'm caught in a time loop, this is exactly where it all went wrong."
"I know, I know. I know what everyone's going to say, but they're already saying it. We're mad scientists. We're monsters, buddy. You gotta own it. Make a stand." Banner shook his head still not thinking it's a great idea. "It's not a loop. It's the end of the line."